Do you want to stay out of the spotlight? Quit smoking and exercise: Those over 60 with unhealthy lifestyles are TWICE as likely to end up in a home, study finds
- Smoking, physical activity, sitting and sleep quality were associated with increased risk
- However, the quality of the diet was not, according to the team of Australian researchers.
- The experts behind the latest study analyzed data from more than 127,000 people.
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If you want to stay out of a nursing home, it might be time to quit smoking and start exercising.
According to a new study, older people with an unhealthy lifestyle are twice as likely to end up in a care home than their active peers.
Smoking, physical activity, sitting, and sleep quality were found to be associated with an increased risk of nursing home admission.
Although, perhaps surprisingly, the quality of the diet was not.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 127,000 Australians who participated in a large study on healthy aging between 2006 and 2009.
Smoking, physical activity, sitting, and sleep quality were found to be associated with an increased risk of nursing home admission.
The participants were divided into the three risk groups based on five lifestyle factors: smoking, physical activity, sitting, sleep quality and diet quality, and were followed for an average of 11 years.
A quarter of participants (24 percent) fell into the lowest risk group with a score of nine or 10 points, nearly two-thirds (62 percent) fell into the medium risk group with a score of six to eight points and 14 percent percent were in the least healthy group with a score below five points.
The Australian research team found that those over 60 who eat poorly and spend too much time on the couch are 43 percent more likely to end up in a nursing home compared to fitter retirees.
People with a moderately healthy lifestyle were 12 percent more likely to need nursing home care than healthier older people.
Participants’ lifestyles were ranked from one to 10, with one representing the least healthy lifestyles and 10 the most healthy.
The risk of being admitted to a nursing home increased by 19 percent with each unit decrease in the healthy lifestyle score.
People with the lowest scores saw their risk double compared to people with the highest scores.
This risk was higher for the least healthy 60 to 64 year olds (2.15 times) compared to the least healthy 65 to 74 year olds (61%) and 75 to 84 year olds (36% higher risk). ) .
Smokers were found to be 55 percent more likely than non-smokers to end up needing nursing care, according to findings presented at the International Conference on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia.
Study lead author Dr Alice Gibson, from the University of Sydney, said: “Effective strategies to prevent or delay older adults from entering nursing home care will help ensure that society can adequately care for older people. its growing number of older people.
‘Our study highlights the potential to prevent or delay nursing home admission among people at risk during aging with interventions that promote a healthy lifestyle.
“This could be a powerful motivator for many people to adopt or maintain a healthier lifestyle.”
HOW SHOULD A BALANCED DIET BE LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS.
• Eat at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains.
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-grain crackers, 2 thick slices of whole-grain bread, and one large baked potato with skin.
• Drink some dairy products or dairy alternatives (such as soy beverages) choosing low-fat and low-sugar options.
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other protein (including 2 servings of fish a week, one of which should be fatty)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small amounts.
• Drink 6 to 8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day
Font: NHS Eatwell Guide
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