Satisfaction with Life and Nutritional Behaviour, Body Composition, and Functional Fitness of Women from the Kraków Population Participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” Programme

Abstract

Pro-health behaviours are related to a person’s personal resources. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between satisfaction with life (SWL), nutritional behaviours, somatic indices, and functional efficiency of senior women. The research was conducted among 120 women aged 60–84 (Me = 65) participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” project at the University of Physical Education in Kraków. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the proprietary validated questionnaire of nutritional behaviour were used. Body composition was assessed using the method of bioelectrical impedance (TANITA SC-330ST analyser), while physical fitness was evaluated via the Senior Fitness test (Fullerton Functional Fitness Test). Correlations between the variables were measured by implementing Spearman’s R signed-rank correlation coefficients (with p < 0.05). Positive correlations between SWL and selected nutrition behaviours have been demonstrated, including eating 5–6 meals (p < 0.001) and drinking at least 2 litres of fluids a day (p = 0.023), consuming cereal products daily, including whole-grains (p = 0.001), avoiding alcoholic beverages (p = 0.030), and applying vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.010). At the same time, negative correlations between SWL and limiting the consumption of red as well as processed meats (p = 0.002), animal fats (p = 0.046), and the preference for vegetable oils in one’s diet (p = 0.023) were shown. Significant correlations between satisfaction with life and two indicators of functional fitness were also confirmed: negative—with the variable ‘2.44-m Get-Up and Go’ (p = 0.003); and positive—with the ‘2-Minute Step in Place’ test (p = 0.034). The relationships between SWL and somatic indices did not reach the level of statistical significance. Among the women participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” programme, correlations between SWL and rational nutritional behaviours, as well as indices of functional fitness, were found (mostly positive), while the trends in these areas were not fully unambiguous, suggesting the validity of conducting further research.

Functional Fitness and Psychological Well-being in Older Adults

“…The critical nding re ecting the unique contribution of this research is that lower body exibility, coordination, and endurance surface as the most in uential factors in PWB measures. These results agree with a recent report disclosing a signi cant relationship between SWL and body coordination and endurance (Gacek et al, 2023). However, the current study tested additional psychological measures, and a relatively consistent picture emerged concerning the relative importance of functional tness components to PWB.…”

“…Gacek et al (2023), the results cannot be compared to past research. However, they indicate that BMI is not an essential factor in the PWB of older adults.…”

“…For example, a study of older adults across multiple age groups revealed that three weekly participation in a fall-proof program lasting for eight weeks was associated with better coordination and MWB (Rajabpour et al, 2022). In addition, a recent study reported a positive relationship between satisfaction with life (SWL) and coordination and endurance based on the 2-min step in-place task (Gacek et al, 2023). Thus, it is essential to determine the relative importance of functional tness components in several measures jointly re ecting PWB to facilitate the development of physical activity intervention programs that target speci c tness components for additional mental health bene ts.…”

Physical and Mental Benefits of 16-Week Functional Fitness Training in Older Adults

“…Several studies have examined functional physical tness and psychological indicators related to the quality of life in older people (Gacek et al 2023; Ihász et al 2020; Lepsy et al 2021). Gacek et al (2023) tested the association between older women's satisfaction with life (SWL) and functional performance. They revealed a signi cant correlation between SWL and two indicators of functional tness (dynamic balance and endurance).…”

“…Therefore, effective interventions to reduce older adults' physical and cognitive functional decline are public health priorities (Freedman et al 2017;Zlatar et al 2019). Research has shown that apart from physical bene ts, psychological indices like well-being (Steptoe et al 2015), life satisfaction (Gacek et al 2023), happiness (An et al 2020), resilience (Martinez-Moreno et al 2020), perceived stress (Chao et al 2020) can also be positively affected by exercise intervention.…”