Health Seeking Behaviors in the Oldest Old

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine nutrition related health seeking behaviors among community-dwelling, cognitively intact elders.According to Healthy People 2000, dietary factors contribute considerably to preventable illness and premature death. Health seeking behaviors related to diet were examined in community-dwelling, cognitively intact elders aged in their 60s (n=89), 80s (n=91), and 100s (n=74) between 1988 and 1992. Nine health seeking behaviors were examined: avoid too much sodium, fat, cholesterol, sugar, caffeine, or food; and eat enough fiber, vitamins and minerals, or calcium. From chi-square analyses, it was found that health seeking behaviors were most profoundly influenced by age cohorts, followed by income and education; there were few effects of gender or race. Centenarians were significantly less likely than those in their 60s and 80s to practice all of the health seeking behaviors except trying a lot to eat enough vitamins and minerals (P ≤0.05). The health seeking behaviors most likely to be practiced by the centenarians were eat enough vitamins and minerals and fiber, and avoid too much fat; those in their 80s were most likely to avoid too much fat and sodium, and eat enough fiber and vitamins and minerals; and those in their 60s were most likely to avoid too much fat and cholesterol, and eat enough fiber. Those with higher incomes were significantly more likely to practice five of the nine health seeking behaviors (P ≤ 0.05); while those with higher levels of education were significantly more likely to practice three of the nine health seeking behaviors (P ≤ 0.05).Among centenarians, lack of adherence to most of the health seeking behaviors probably reflects their low socioeconomic status and lack of exposure to nutrition messages concerning the role of diet and health. Thus, nutrition-related health promotion efforts for the elderly must be tailored to the oldest old and those with low incomes and education levels. Funded by NIH grant RO1-43435-06 and Ga. Ag. Exp. Station #769.