Relationship between lifestyle habits and multidimensional frailty: a cross-sectional study in community-dwelling older adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.116550Keywords:
Tilburg Frailty Indicator, Frailty, lifestyle habits, aging, Geriatric AssessmentAbstract
Introduction: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome involving physical, psychological, and social components, reflecting increased vulnerability to adverse events. Its development may be influenced by modifiable habits and lifestyle factors.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between habits, lifestyle, and frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 233 community-dwelling older adults. The Tilburg Frailty Indicator was used, and self-reported variables were assessed: physical activity, sedentary behavior, fruit and vegetable intake, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and hours of sleep. Spearman correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were applied.
Results: Overall frailty was associated with fruit and vegetable intake (r=–0.14, p=0.04) and tobacco use (r=0.19, p=0.01). Psychological frailty was associated with physical activity (r=–0.15, p=0.03) and fruit and vegetable intake (r=–0.16, p=0.03). Social frailty was associated with tobacco use (r=0.18, p=0.01). Multivariate models explained 14% of total frailty (R²=0.14), 13% of physical frailty (R²=0.13), 12% of psychological frailty (R²=0.12), and 16% of social frailty (R²=0.16), mainly explained by fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity.
Conclusion: Higher fruit and vegetable intake and regular physical activity were associated with lower frailty across all domains, while tobacco use and sedentary behavior were linked to higher frailty levels. These findings support the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent or reduce frailty in older adults.
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