Abstract
Introduction:
Aging is a worldwide phenomenon that has favored an increase in people aged 80 years and older. Objective: To assess the influence of nutritional status (NS), measures of frailty, and physical activity level (PAL) on the quality of life (QoL) of long-lived people.
Method:
The study was carried out from Oct 2016 to Sept 2017 with 103 individuals aged 80 years or more. NS was classified according to the PAHO Health, Well-Being and Aging (SABE) survey; waist circumference (WC) and calf perimeter (CP) was based on the WHO classification; handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS) used the classification proposed by Lauretani; PAL was classified according to the IPAQ short form; the WHOQoL-bref and WHOQoL-old were applied to measure QOL. Variables were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U and t-tests.
Results:
69.2% were women, with an average age of 82.75 (± 2.98) years, and only WC showed a significant association (p <0.001). The older women without dynapenia exhibited better QoL in the physical domain (p = 0.004), social relationships (p = 0.022), self-reported QoL (p = 0.017) of the WHOQoL-bref and social participation facet (p = 0.025) of WHOQOL-old. Comparison of QoL with NS and PAL showed a significant difference in self-reported QoL (p = 0.027) for the former and past, present and future activities for the latter (p = 0.050).
Conclusion:
Obesity and the absence of dynapenia were positively associated with the QoL of long-lived individuals. PAL was associated with positive QoL in one facet of the WHOQoL-old.
Keywords:
Aged, 80 and over; Nutritional Status; Physical Activity; Quality of Life