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Contribution of Lifestyle to Positive Ageing in Hong Kong

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Abstract

The Objective of this study is to examine the knowledge, use, and development of a healthy lifestyle, and the association with positive ageing, in a convenient sample of 2,970 community-living Hong Kong Chinese People aged 40–74 years stratified by age. A questionnaire containing items from these three domains (avoidance of disease, physical and cognitive functioning, engagement with life) was administered from which a positive ageing index was calculated. A lifestyle score was calculated from information regarding current knowledge, use, and development of a healthy lifestyle (relating to diet, exercise rest and relaxation, smoking habit and alcohol use). The association between lifestyle score and the positive ageing index was weaker compared with income and education level. We conclude that knowledge, use and development of a healthy lifestyle did not contribute greatly to the positive ageing process.

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Acknowledgements

This research is part of larger programme of research directed by Prof Sik Hung Ng, and supported by a research grant from the City University of Hong Kong (reference number 9360076) with the assistance of over 50 interviewers. We thank Dr Jacky Cheung for his contribution to the development of the interview schedule. The findings from this study show very similar patterns to those found in comparable cohorts in other countries, suggesting that there is little cultural differences in perception. This observation suggests that factors viewed as being important among older adults appear to be universally applicable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 9/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

    Jean Woo

  2. Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Sik Hung Ng, Alice ML Chong, Alex YH Kwan & Stephanie Lai

  3. Department of Community & Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Aprille Sham

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  1. Jean Woo
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  2. Sik Hung Ng
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  3. Alice ML Chong
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  4. Alex YH Kwan
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Correspondence to Jean Woo.

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Précis

In 2,970 Hong Kong Chinese aged 40–74 years, knowledge, use and development of a healthy lifestyle was positively associated with the positive aging index but the association was weaker compared with income and education.

Appendix

Appendix

Lifestyle score questions

Knowledge (rated on a scale of 1–5, with 1 representing no knowledge and 5 representing very good knowledge)

  1. 1)

    Diet: Do you know what is a healthy diet?

  2. 2)

    Exercise: Do you know that exercises such as Tai Chi, walking, contribute to health?

  3. 3)

    Relaxation: Do you know that a balance between work and relaxation contributes to health?

  4. 4)

    Avoid smoking: Do you know that avoidance of smoking contributes to health?

  5. 5)

    Avoid alcohol excess: Do you know that avoidance of excessive alcohol contributes to health?

Use (rated on a scale of 1–5, with 1 representing never, and 5 on a regular basis)

Participants were asked to rate the use of lifestyle knowledge for each of the above 5 items.

Development (rated on a scale of 1–5, with 1 representing no development of knowledge relating to lifestyle and health, and 5 representing continual updating of knowledge)

Participants were asked to rate the development of knowledge for each of the above 5 items.

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Woo, J., Ng, S.H., Chong, A.M. et al. Contribution of Lifestyle to Positive Ageing in Hong Kong. Ageing Int. 32, 269–278 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-008-9022-3

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