Modifiable characteristics of a healthy lifestyle in U.S. older adults with or without frequent mental distress: 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between frequent mental distress (FMD; 14 or more mentally unhealthy days during the previous 30 days), health behaviors, body weight, and use of preventive services among adults >or=65 years using the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

METHODS

Participants (N = 52,600) were asked how many days during the past 30 days that their mental health was not good. Having a healthy weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), not smoking, consuming <or=1 alcoholic beverage per day, consuming of at least five fruits or vegetables daily, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization were examined in addition to combinations of these behaviors.

RESULTS

People with FMD were less likely than those without FMD to be nonsmokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.67, confidence interval [CI] = 0.53-0.85), to consume at least five fruits or vegetables daily (AOR = 0.80, CI = 0.70-0.91), and to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week (AOR = 0.82, CI = 0.68-0.99). However, there was no difference between those with and without FMD in the consumption of <or=1 alcoholic beverage per day, having a healthy weight, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults with FMD are less likely to engage in many health behaviors and to use preventive services than those without FMD.