Factors Influencing Health-Related Quality of Life in the Korean Seniors with Lower Education Level: Focusing on Physical Activity Types

Abstract

This study examined physical activity and health-related factors affecting Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in older adults with lower educational levels. Methods: Data were obtained from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Ⅶ-1, 2016; Ⅶ-2, 2017). The sample consisted of 2,985 individuals aged 65 years or older, and the focus was on 1,788 older adults with low educational levels. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, x 2 test, and hierarchical multiple linear regression using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Results: The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that subjective perceived health, cognitive stress, number of chronic diseases, and daily activity explained 25% of the variance in HRQoL after controlling for age and gender. In final model, physical activity types explained an additional 1% of the variance in HRQoL; walking was a significant predictor. Especially, among the various physical activity types, walking proved important for HRQoL. While aerobic exercise and strength exercise were associated with health status, in the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, they did not have an impact on HRQoL. Conclusion: A walking-centric health care program to improve physical activity should be considered for HRQoL improvement in older adults with lower educational levels. Further research should consider how aerobic exercise and strength exercise could contribute to HRQoL improvement in this population.

Effects of sleep quality and physical activity measured by a Fitbit and self-rated questionnaire on the health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study

“…The mean score of HRQoL for the participants in this study was 0.87 (range -0.171 to 1). A previous study analyzing the influencing factors on HRQoL for 1,788 older adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [20] found a score of 0.86, and a previous study examining HRQoL among older adults in Canada and Germany [21] found a score of 0.84 to 0.88, which is similar to our results.…”

Factors Associated with Poor Self-Rated Health among Older Women Living Alone

“…Older women living alone with an education level of elementary or lower are 1.89 times more likely to have poor SRH than those in middle school or higher, which is partially consistent with the results of previous studies [ 17 , 19 ] reporting a significant difference in SRH based on the education level of older women. Choi and Lee [ 19 ] reported that the level of education strongly affected the health of older people: the lower the education level, such as elementary school graduation or below, the higher the inequality in SRH.…”

“…Older women living alone with an education level of elementary or lower are 1.89 times more likely to have poor SRH than those in middle school or higher, which is partially consistent with the results of previous studies [ 17 , 19 ] reporting a significant difference in SRH based on the education level of older women. Choi and Lee [ 19 ] reported that the level of education strongly affected the health of older people: the lower the education level, such as elementary school graduation or below, the higher the inequality in SRH. The higher the education level, the more social resources are accessible and utilized, such as health information and medical service use networks; thus, a more positive self-assessment of older people’s health was reported in participants with a high level of education [ 15 ].…”

Prediction model of health-related quality of life in older adults according to gender using a decision tree model: a study based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…13], 악력, 빈혈 등의 생리적 요인 [9,16], 우울, 외로움, 자살생각 등 의 정서적 요인 [10,17], 흡연, 음주, 신체활동 등의 건강행태 등 [11,12]의 다양한 요인들이 노인의 건강관련 삶의 질에 주요하게 영향을 미치는 것으로 분석되었다. 성별은 국가 전반적인 보건정책 수립 의사결정에 필수적인 역할 을 하는 요인이기 때문에 [18] 노인의 건강관련 삶의 질에도 중요한 역할을 하는 요인으로 여겨지고 있다.…”