Search Results (9,056)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to daily life, affecting regular physical activity (PA) and health behaviors worldwide. This study investigates the associations between PA domains and changes in health behaviors and mental health outcomes among middle-aged and old Chinese adults. Methods: Using wave 5 cross-sectional data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we analyzed 17,180 adults aged 45 and above, focusing on health behavior changes such as smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary adjustments, and panic purchasing, as well as mental health outcomes like anxiety and fear. PA was classified by intensity levels—light, moderate, and vigorous—and by activity purposes—total, leisure, and occupational. Results: The findings indicate that leisure PA is associated with healthier behaviors, including lower odds of increased smoking (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57–0.90) and alcohol consumption (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.90), whereas occupational PA is linked to adverse behavioral outcomes, such as higher odds of smoking (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15–1.83) and alcohol use (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10–1.86). Additionally, participants engaged in all domains of PA were more likely to experience anxiety and fear compared to those who were physically inactive. Conclusions: Our limited understanding of the role PA has on behavioral and mental health during public health crises highlights the importance of having tailored strategies to enhance resilience in similar future scenarios. Full article

Impaired balance and mental stress are significant health concerns, particularly among older adults. This study investigated the relationship between the heart rate variability and fall risk during daily activities among individuals over 40 years old. This aimed to explore the potential of the heart rate variability as an indicator of stress and balance loss. Data were collected from 14 healthy participants who wore a Polar H10 heart rate monitor and performed Berg Balance Scale activities as part of an assessment of functional balance. Machine learning techniques applied to the collected data included two phases: unsupervised clustering and supervised classification. K-means clustering identified three distinct physiological states based on HRV features, such as the high-frequency band power and the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats, suggesting patterns that may reflect stress levels. In the second phase, integrating the cluster labels obtained from the first phase together with HRV features into machine learning models for fall risk classification, we found that Gradient Boosting performed the best, achieving an accuracy of 95.45%, a precision of 93.10% and a recall of 85.71%. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the heart rate variability and machine learning to monitor physiological responses associated with stress and fall risks. By highlighting this potential biomarker of autonomic health, the findings contribute to developing real-time monitoring systems that could support fall prevention efforts in everyday settings for older adults. Full article

Older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) have compromised physical function that adversely affects their quality of life. Exercise is an effective intervention to improve function in older persons; however, older people with SMI experience barriers to exercise engagement. This study sought to obtain feedback on an exercise program in development for older people with SMI that comprised home-based exercise delivery, individualized exercise prescription, and motivational health coaching calls. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with older Veterans with SMI (n = 3) and clinical staff serving this population (directors: n = 3; clinicians: n = 15, k = 3) to elicit feedback on the perceived feasibility and acceptability of the preliminary program and recommendations for modifications to the program. Rapid analysis was used to summarize transcripts of audio-recorded interviews and focus groups. Results indicated a strong perceived feasibility and acceptability of the preliminary intervention because of how the individualized exercise prescription component (i.e., exercise plan) would be personalized to the Veteran’s preferences and abilities. Clinical staff participants expressed concerns about how the lack of real-time supervision would negatively affect exercise completion. Participants recommended tailoring the home-based exercise delivery and motivational health coaching calls components to each Veteran’s unique context. Full article

This study uses data from the 2006–2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) genetic sample (N = 11,667) to explore the “immigrant health paradox” from a novel perspective by examining the nativity differences in genetic predisposition to health-related outcomes. Polygenic indices (PGIs) were used to evaluate whether older non-Hispanic white foreign-born individuals have genotypes that predispose them to better health profiles compared to their U.S.-born counterparts. The results show an immigrant advantage with respect to genetic predisposition to cognitive function, BMI, and smoking frequency. There are no significant differences in genetic predisposition to height, smoking initiation, and depression. Including respective PGIs in multinomial regression models partially explains an immigrant advantage with respect to cognitive function and obesity. The findings are consistent with the “healthy immigrant effect” or selective migration of individuals with a favorable genetic predisposition to health as one of the explanations of the immigrant health paradox. Full article

Background: Sarcopenia associated with aging severely affects the quality of life of the elderly; diets have been shown to elicit an inflammatory response in the body, and diets that promote inflammation may lead to damage to muscles. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been developed to quantify the inflammatory potential of individual diets. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the DII, sarcopenia and its components in elderly Chinese people. Methods: In this study, data were obtained from the China Nutrition Improvement Strategies and Applications for the Elderly Research Programme. An assessment of sarcopenia was carried out according to the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia’s (AWGS2019) criteria. The DII was calculated using food intake data obtained using the FFQ method, and then the quartile method was used to categorize the subjects into four groups. Multifactor logistic regression was conducted to examine the associations between DII, sarcopenia and its components. Results: This study included 993 subjects over the age of 65, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 20.2%. The mean DII score of the study population was 0.99 ± 0.1. After adjusting for the confounders age, gender, marital status, and educational level, the risk of sarcopenia was 1.66 times higher in group Q4 than in group Q1 (p-trend < 0.05). However, this relationship is not statistically significant when other more confounding factors are added. Nevertheless, when further analyzing the relationship between DII and sarcopenia components, it was found that after adjusting the model, a higher DII was associated with a risk of muscle strength loss (OR = 1.65, p-trend < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher DII scores increase the risk of muscle strength loss in older adults. By guiding older adults to adopt a more anti-inflammatory diet, muscle health can be improved in terms of increased muscle strength. Further cohort or interventional studies are necessary to validate our findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a significant cause of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in adults aged 60 years and older, often leading to severe clinical outcomes and high healthcare costs. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and economic burden of RSV compared to other ARIs, focusing on specific age groups, comorbidities, and demographic factors. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the electronic medical records of adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized for ARIs, including RSV, in Spain. Direct costs related to hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and treatments were analyzed. The study also assessed demographic, clinical, and comorbidity-related factors influencing the economic burden. Results: RSV infections resulted in significantly higher direct costs compared to other ARIs, particularly in patients aged 70–80 years. Comorbidities such as asthma and smoking history were associated with increased costs in RSV cases. Although ICU costs were comparable between groups, hospitalizations for RSV required longer stays and more intensive treatments, amplifying the overall economic burden. Differences in costs by age and sex highlighted the need for tailored clinical management strategies. Conclusions: RSV poses a substantial economic and clinical burden on adults aged 60 years and older, particularly in those with comorbidities. Preventive measures, such as vaccination, could reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes in this vulnerable population. These findings support the inclusion of RSV vaccines in immunization programs, especially in aging populations like Spain, to alleviate healthcare pressures during peak respiratory disease seasons. Full article

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 12-week resistance training (RT) on muscle strength, dynamic balance, glycemic control and the lipid profile. Methods: The Laboratory of Movement Studies in the University of São Paulo, Brazil, developed this longitudinal study between 2021 and 2023. It assessed 62 males with type 2 diabetes mellitus pre and post an RT protocol. The participants, who were 69.8 (±3.9) years old, took part in a 12-week twice-weekly RT program. Three sets of eight to twelve repetitions each were executed for eight exercises targeting the large muscle groups. The intensity was set between 7 and 8 out of 10 for perceived effort, according to the Omni Resistance Exercise Scale. All participants were evaluated pre and post in knee extensor and flexor strength by isokinetic dynamometry, handgrip strength by manual dynamometry and dynamic postural balance by a force platform, as well as blood tests to determine the lipid and glycemic profiles. For comparison, paired t or Wilcoxon tests were used at an alpha of 5%. Results: There was an improvement in muscular strength by handgrip restricted to the non-dominant side (p = 0.033) and for the bilateral knee flexors (p < 0.001) and extensors (p < 0.001), as determined by isokinetic dynamometry. There was no improvement in dynamic postural balance, glycemic control or lipid control. Conclusions: The 12-week RT promoted improved muscle strength in knee extension and flexion and non-dominant grip pressure but did not affect dynamic balance, glycemic control or the lipid profile. Full article

Objective: This study investigated changes in life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing the contributions of age, sex, and cause of death in 2019 and 2022. Methods: Korea’s simplified life table and cause-of-death statistics from 2019 to 2022 were used to assess mortality changes by age, sex, and cause of death during the pandemic. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to detect trends, and the Arriaga decomposition method was used to quantify the contributions of age, sex, and cause of death to life expectancy changes. Results: Joinpoint regression identified a slow increase in life expectancy in 2007 and a decline in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Life expectancy decreased markedly for men (−0.36 years per year, 95%CI: −0.68 to −0.03) and women (−0.45 years per year, 95%CI: −0.71 to −0.18). Age-specific contributions revealed declines across age groups, with the steepest reductions in the older population (80 years or older: −0.35 years for men; −0.52 years for women). Women (−0.68 years) contributed more to the decline in life expectancy than men (−0.41 years). COVID-19 ranked as the third leading cause of death in 2022, significantly contributing to the decline in life expectancy among the older population (aged 80 years or older: −0.306 years for men, −0.408 years for women). Women in Korea were more affected than men, reducing the sex-specific gap in life expectancy by 0.3 years. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the life expectancy in Korea, particularly among older adults, with women experiencing a greater decline than men. These findings emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies to address age and sex disparities in future pandemics. Before the pandemic, non-communicable diseases such as malignant neoplasms, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease dominated Korea’s top 10 causes of death. During the pandemic, however, COVID-19 rose to third place by 2022. Notably, intentional self-harm (suicide) contributed to an increase in life expectancy, suggesting shifts in the relative impact of various causes of death. Full article

Background/Objectives: Microgreens are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals that can support healthy aging, including attenuation of cardiovascular disease risk. The nutrient and phytochemical contents of red beet (i.e., bull’s blood’ beet, Beta vulgaris) and red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitate) microgreens, as well as existing preclinical evidence suggest their cardioprotective effects, but the feasibility, gastrointestinal tolerability, and human health effects of daily microgreen consumption are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and gastrointestinal tolerability of 2 weeks of daily microgreen consumption in healthy middle-aged/older (MA/O) adults. A secondary aim was to characterize potential health effects. Methods: Healthy MA/O adults (initial n = 26) were randomized to consume either 2 cups of ‘bull’s blood’ beet or red cabbage microgreens daily for 2 weeks in a crossover design, with each treatment period separated by 2 weeks. Feasibility was determined through participant retention and intervention compliance (i.e., total doses consumed divided by 14 days), while gastrointestinal tolerability was determined by a gastrointestinal health questionnaire and bowel movement log. Impacts of microgreen consumption on brachial and aortic hemodynamic parameters, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. Results: Daily consumption for 2 weeks of ‘bull’s blood’ beet and red cabbage microgreens was found to be feasible as indicated by high participant retention (final n = 24) and overall treatment compliance of 95.6%. Gastrointestinal symptom severity was not impacted overall, though an improvement in gastrointestinal inflammation-associated symptom severity scores following the red cabbage microgreen intervention (p = 0.047) was observed. There were no changes in bowel movement quality, hemodynamic parameters, or on alpha or beta diversity of the gut microbiota. Conclusions: Daily consumption of ‘bull’s blood’ beet and red cabbage microgreens is feasible and tolerable in healthy MA/O adults. Future studies designed to evaluate their health impacts are needed. Full article

The sphere of leisure time fulfils important roles in human life, translating into the quality of life of the individual and society. Hence, comprehensive research is being conducted on the ways in which different age groups, including older people, use leisure time. However, few of them take into account factors related to the place of residence, which are important for respondents’ leisure time activities. This study aims to fill the gap in this regard. The aim of the article is to identify socio-demographic variables determining the way adults spend their leisure time, with a particular focus on older people in selected border municipalities in Poland. The study included 1068 individual questionnaire questionnaires completed in 2021 by respondents of border municipalities. One of the non-probability techniques was chosen as the method for selecting elements for the sample, namely, the quota method, which took into account the following characteristics of the population: age, gender, and place of residence. The analyses used selected methods of descriptive statistics and multivariate comparative analysis. The results confirmed that leisure use varied by gender, age, and education. The research also showed that, in the case of older people, leisure time use is influenced by elements relating to their place of residence. Particularly important were the development of green areas in the municipality, safety in the municipality, and the cleanliness of recreational sites. Full article

Oxidative stress plays a role in various pathophysiological diseases, including neurogenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer′s disease (AD), which is the most prevalent neuro-pathology in the aging population. Oxidative stress has been reported to be one of the earliest pathological alterations in AD. Additionally, it was demonstrated that in older adults, there is a loss of free radical scavenging ability. The Nrf2 transcription factor is a key regulator in antioxidant defense systems, but, with aging, both the amount and the transcriptional activity of Nrf2 decrease. With the available treatments for AD being poorly effective, reinforcing the antioxidant defense systems via the Nrf2 pathway may be a way to prevent and treat AD. To highlight the predominant role of Nrf2 signaling in defending against oxidative stress and, therefore, against neurotoxicity, we present an overview of the natural compounds that exert their own neuroprotective roles through the activation of the Nrf2 pathway. This review is an opportunity to promote a holistic approach in the treatment of AD and to highlight the need to further refine the development of new potential Nrf2-targeting drugs. Full article

Background: As individuals age, there is a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, which not only impairs physical functionality but also heightens the risk of falls and diminishes independence among older adults. Probiotics have emerged as a focus of recent research due to their potential role in enhancing muscle health via the gut–muscle axis. This study evaluates the effects of live and heat-treated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 (PS23) supplementation on muscle strength and mass in the elderly. Methods: This study recruited 119 participants, aged 65–85 years, and randomly assigned them to receive a placebo (0 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day), L-PS23 (live PS23, 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day), or HT-PS23 (heat-treated PS23, 2 × 10¹⁰ cells/day) for a duration of 12 weeks. Assessments of blood pressure, body composition, muscle strength, functional physical fitness, and biochemical parameters were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results: Among the 100 subjects who completed the trial, supplementation with both L-PS23 and HT-PS23 significantly enhanced lower limb muscle strength and endurance compared to the placebo (p < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed in muscle mass or upper limb muscle strength across the groups. Additionally, while most muscle anabolism-related markers showed no significant changes, both supplements effectively decreased inflammatory markers related to aging—C-reactive protein (CRP: L-PS23, p = 0.016; HT-PS23, p = 0.013) and interleukin-6 (IL-6: L-PS23, p = 0.003; HT-PS23, p < 0.001)—and increased interleukin-10 levels (L-PS23, p = 0.014; HT-PS23, p = 0.005). Notably, only the HT-PS23 group demonstrated a significant increase in testosterone levels (p = 0.029). Conclusions: 12 weeks of supplementation with L-PS23 and HT-PS23 improved lower limb muscle strength and endurance but did not significantly enhance muscle mass in older adults. Both supplements also proved effective in reducing inflammatory markers and elevating testosterone levels. HT-PS23, administered as a heat-treated probiotic, provided more pronounced benefits to the elderly compared with its probiotic counterpart, L-PS23. Full article

Objectives: Chronic diseases are a significant public health issue, especially for socioeconomically vulnerable population groups. The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence of chronic diseases in people receiving and not receiving BLS and to determine the prevalence of chronic diseases according to the physical activity and dietary habits of people receiving BLS. Methods: Data were derived from the sixth to ninth waves (2014–2022) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), focusing on 15,041 participants aged 65 and older. Demographic characteristics, dietary intake, physical activity, and chronic disease status were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios for chronic diseases according to physical activity and dietary habits. Results: The BLS group exhibited higher prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes, along with lower dietary intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and vitamin C, compared to the non-BLS group. A below-average intake of energy and carbohydrates was associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes, particularly in the BLS group. For dietary fiber, a significant association with diabetes was found only in the BLS group. Sedentary behavior exceeding 9 h per day was linked to higher odds of chronic diseases in both groups, with stronger associations in the BLS group. Limited walking frequency (less than 1 day per week) further exacerbated risks. Conclusions: BLS recipients demonstrated higher chronic disease prevalence, poorer dietary habits, and more sedentary behavior compared to non-recipients. The associations between lifestyle factors and chronic diseases were generally more substantial in the BLS group, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve dietary quality and physical activity patterns in this vulnerable population. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the independent and joint associations of daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with sarcopenia among older adults. Methods: The participants were 847 community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older from Beijing and Shanghai, China. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (2019). Daily sitting time and LTPA were self-reported using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Logistics regression models were used to explore the associations between daily sitting time, LTPA, and sarcopenia. To examine joint associations, participants were classified based on daily sitting time and LTPA levels. Final models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, and chronic conditions. Results: Prolonged sitting time and insufficient LTPA were independently associated with higher odds of sarcopenia. Among insufficiently active participants, sitting for 1–2 h, 2–4 h, and more than 4 h per day was associated with 5.52-fold (95% CI: 1.13–26.83), 6.69-fold (95% CI: 1.33–33.59), and 12.82-fold (95% CI: 2.75–59.85) increased odds of sarcopenia, respectively, compared to sitting for less than 1 h. For those meeting the physical activity guideline (≥150 min of LTPA per week), only sitting for more than 4 h per day was significantly associated with higher odds of sarcopenia (OR: 7.25, 95% CI: 1.99–26.36). Conclusions: Prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with increased odds of sarcopenia. The higher odds of sarcopenia associated with more than 4 h daily sitting may not be offset by achieving the recommended levels of physical activity. Full article

For many vulnerable older adults, food access was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Hawai‘i, the Kūpuna (the Hawaiian word for elders) Food Security Coalition (KFSC) was formed in March 2020 to address this challenge, leveraging local and federal funding support. This case study presents information on coalition formation and success in addressing this emergency, as well as evaluation data on coalition functioning as assessed by the Collective Impact (CI) framework. Coalition functioning was assessed across the five CI conditions: common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. Case study data were available from interview and learning circle transcripts, survey findings, and other program documents. Between March and December 2020, the KFSC coordinated efforts of 46 organizations to serve approximately 1.2 million meals to 8300 vulnerable seniors in Honolulu County. Within the first 9 months of existence, the coalition’s measurement system and the common agenda conditions showed advanced maturity, while the other conditions demonstrated moderate maturity levels. Despite challenging leadership transitions, the coalition was successful in helping increase food access and then pivoting in 2021 to promote kūpuna vaccinations, and the coalition continues to meet regularly to address issues of concern to vulnerable older adults. This study provides evidence-based guidance for communities seeking to establish public/non-profit partnerships for emergency food response for older adults, demonstrating how structured coalition approaches can effectively mobilize and coordinate multi-stakeholder efforts during and beyond crises. Full article