Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health-Related Quality of Life and Well-Being".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 June 2023) | Viewed by 10356

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tamara Alhambra Borrás

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Carrer del Serpis, 29, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: psychology; ageing; health promotion; healthy ageing

Dr. Ascensión Doñate-Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: wellbeing; chronic conditions; palliative care; public policies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

People worldwide are living longer, and a longer life brings with it opportunities but also challenges.

As people age, they are more likely to experience a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity, a growing risk of disease, and/or several complex health states. However, ageing is not equal to disease, disability, or dependence, as there are many older adults who experience healthy ageing.

According to the WHO (Beard et al., 2016), healthy ageing is “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age”. In this regard, health promotion and quality of life are essential to ageing well. Thus, it is important to foster and reinforce health promotion actions addressed to older adults with the aim of increasing or maintaining their functional capacity for as long as possible, providing them with the skills and knowledge for self-care, and ultimately improving their quality of life. Additionally, mental health, social support, and access to optimal health as well as social care are crucial for ageing well.

Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those highlighting the capacities of older adults to feel empowered in the care of their own health from a holistic approach. Additionally, studies and initiatives aimed at improving older adults’ health promotion and quality of life are expected, sharing their results, limitations, and aspects to be taken into consideration for effective implementation and sustainability in the community.

Dr. Tamara Alhambra Borrás
Dr. Ascensión Doñate-Martínez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

ageing
quality of life
older adults
health promotion
health-related conditions
healthy ageing
self-care
aging well
physical function
mental function

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Other

16 pages, 2610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Psychological Burden on Dyslipidemia Moderated by Greenness: A Nationwide Study from China

by Chengcheng Liu, Yao Li, Jing Li, Chenggang Jin and Deping Zhong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114287 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1644

Abstract

Globally, dyslipidemia is now become a leading risk factor for many adverse health outcomes, especially in the middle-aged and elderly. Recent evidence suggests that exposure to greenness and the relief of a psychological burden may decrease the prevalence of dyslipidemia. The objective of our study was to examine whether a green space can moderate the association between mental health status and dyslipidemia. Our study selected the datasets of depression symptoms, dyslipidemia from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and the satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the 30 m annual maximum NDVI dataset in China in 2018. Ultimately, a total of 10,022 middle-aged and elderly Chinese were involved in our study. Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to examine the association between symptoms of depression and dyslipidemia, as well as the moderate effect of greenness exposure on the association. Our research suggested that adults diagnosed with depression symptoms were more likely to suffer from dyslipidemia. In addition, the NDVI was shown to moderate the effect of depression on dyslipidemia significantly, though the effect was attenuated as depression increased. Regarding the moderate effect of the NDVI on the above association across age, gender, and residence, the findings presented that females, the elderly, and respondents living in urban areas were at a greater risk of having dyslipidemia, although the protective effect of the NDVI was considered. Likewise, the moderate effect of the NDVI gradually decreased as the level of depression increased in different groups. The current study conducted in China provides insights into the association between mental health, green space, and dyslipidemia. Hence, improving mental health and green spaces can be potential targets for medical interventions to decrease the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Frailty as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes among Spanish Community-Dwelling Older Adults

by Ascensión Doñate-Martínez, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás and Estrella Durá-Ferrandis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12756; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912756 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1340

Abstract

Spain is one of the European countries with the oldest populations. The prevalence of frailty among Spanish older people ranges from 8.4 to 29.4% and currently, is one of the most relevant public health challenges. The Tilburg Frailty indicator (TFI) has been widely used in the community and in healthcare settings for assessing frailty. The objective of this study is to evaluate the predictive performance of the TFI for several adverse outcomes among Spanish community-dwelling older adults. The predictive performance was tested through linear regression analyses and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. A total of 552 Spanish older adults composed the study sample. Participants were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Main results showed that frailty was strongly and significantly correlated with disability, physical health, mental health and falls efficacy. The TFI score predicted most of these adverse outcomes. The ROC analyses confirmed the acceptable predictive performance of the total frailty. This study provides new evidence confirming that the TFI is a valid tool to predict several adverse outcomes in Spanish older adults, which may allow professionals to plan and activate health and social care resources to support frail patients’ needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

13 pages, 1294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Relationship between Cognitive Function and Health-Related Quality of Life among Middle-Aged and Older Patients with Diabetes in China: Digital Usage Behavior Differences

by Zhihao Jia, Yan Gao, Liangyu Zhao and Suyue Han

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912400 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2196

Abstract

Background: Cognitive function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are important issues in diabetes care. According to the China Association for Aging, it is estimated that by 2030, the number of elderly people with dementia in China will reach 22 million. The World Health Organization reports that by 2044, the number of people with diabetes in China is expected to reach 175 million. Methods: Cohort analyses were conducted based on 854 diabetic patients aged ≥45 years from the third (2015) and fourth (2018) survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Correlation analysis, repeated-measures variance analysis, and cross-lagged panel models were used to measure the difference in digital usage behavior in the established relationship. Results: The results show that the cognitive function of middle-aged and older diabetic patients is positively correlated with HRQoL. HRQoL at T1 could significantly predict cognitive function at T2 (PCS: B = 0.12, p < 0.01; MCS: B = 0.14, p < 0.01). This relationship is more associated with individual performance than digital usage behavior. Conclusions: Unidirectional associations may exist between cognitive function and HRQoL among middle-aged and older Chinese diabetes patients. In the future, doctors and nurses can recognize the lowering of self-perceived HRQoL of middle-aged and older diabetic patients, and thus draw more attention to their cognitive function, in turn strengthening the evaluation, detection, and intervention of their cognitive function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 715 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender-Specific Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Obese Korean Older Adults: Evidence from the 2020 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

by Hee-jeong Kim and Dahye Park

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148275 - 06 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1369

Abstract

Given the increasing aging population in South Korea, the quality of life of older adults must be ensured. This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the gender-specific factors associated with health-related quality of life in obese older adults aged 65 years and above based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) 2020 data. In total, 507 obese Korean older adults participated in the 8th KNHNES. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the variation in health-related quality of life according to socioeconomic and health-related factors and assess their inter-relationships. The influencing factors of health-related quality of life in obese Korean older adults were national health insurance (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40–2.21), private health insurance (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28–0.75), arthritis (OR = 6.64, 95% CI: 2.57–17.14), and good dietary lifestyle (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.05–0.93) in men; and private health insurance (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.05–6.72), arthritis (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.44–5.51), and physical activity (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.71–10.94) affected health-related quality of life in women. The importance of health behaviors should be considered in the development of health programs and interventions for improving the quality of life of older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 2931 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Effect of Low Intensity Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Fall Resistance in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis

by Shufan Li, Peng Wang, Xin Xin, Xiaojing Zhou, Jing Wang, Jinlei Zhao and Xing Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064723 - 07 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1886

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction on fall resistance in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO host, CNKI Database, VIP, Wanfang Database and CBMdisc were searched, and the retrieval period was from the beginning of each database to 25 July 2022. Randomized controlled trials were collected concerning the intervention of low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction on lower limb muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle function, balance, walking and other fall resistance indicators in middle-aged and older adults. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used for methodological quality assessment of the included literature. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 15.1. Results: A total of 14 randomized controlled trials (419 participants in total) were included in the study. Meta-analysis results revealed that low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction significantly improved lower limb muscle strength (SMD = 0.51, 95%CI: [0.28, 0.74], p < 0.0001), lower limb muscle mass (MD = 1.99, 95%CI: [0.77, 3.22], p = 0.001) and walking ability (SMD = −0.89, 95% CI. [−1.71, −0.06], p = 0.03), while there was no apparent intervention effect on lower limb muscle function (SMD = 0.25, 95%CI: [−0.23, 0.73], p = 0.31) and balance (SMD = 0.22, 95%CI: [−0.08, 0.52], p = 0.15). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the intervention effect of low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction on lower limb muscle strength was more significant in subjects aged 55–64 years, with exercise cycles of 4–8 weeks, exercise frequency of three times per week, exercise intensity of 20–30% 1RM, and vascular flow blocking pressure ≥ 120 mmHg. Conclusion: Low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction can effectively improve lower limb muscle strength, muscle mass and walking ability in middle-aged and older adults, and can serve as an important form of fall resistance training for the older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 693 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Self-Rated Health as a Predictor of Mortality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

by Moustapha Dramé, Eléonore Cantegrit and Lidvine Godaert

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053813 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1157

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between self-reported health (SRH) and mortality in older adults. In total, 505 studies were found in PubMed and Scopus, of which 26 were included in this review. In total, 6 of the 26 studies included did not find any evidence of an association between SRH and mortality. Of the 21 studies that included community dwellers, 16 found a significant relationship between SRH and mortality. In total, 17 studies involved patients with no specific medical conditions; among these, 12 found a significant link between SRH and mortality. Among the studies in adults with specific medical conditions, eight showed a significant association between SRH and mortality. Among the 20 studies that definitely included people younger than 80 years, 14 found a significant association between SRH and mortality. Of the twenty-six studies, four examined short-term mortality; seven, medium-term mortality; and eighteen, long-term mortality. Among these, a significant association between SRH and mortality was found in 3, 7, and 12 studies, respectively. This study supports the existence of a significant relation between SRH and mortality. A better understanding of the components of SRH might help guide preventive health policies aimed at delaying mortality in the long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life among Older Adults)

► Show Figures