Gender differences in active aging, health status and self-perceived health in Spanish elderly

MONTERO LÓPEZ, PILAR; RODRÍGUEZ LÓPEZ, SANTIAGO; FERNÁNDEZ-BALLESTEROS, ROCÍO; ZAMARRÓN, MARÍA DOLORES

Poznan

Congreso; 17th Congress of the European Anthropological Association; 2010

European Anthropological Association

Both diagnosed and perceived health deteriorates throughout life and are well known determinants of healthy aging. Different health status and perception are linked to gender inequalities in the work place, in economic and personal autonomy and in entertainment. The objective of this study is to analyze gender-based differences in active aging, personal health status and self perceived health in a sample of Spanish elderly. Data came from the base line of the Spanish Active Aging Longitudinal Study. 456 individuals (169 men and 287 women; mean age 66,47 years; range 55-75 years) living at home in the Province of Madrid, participated in this study. A variable called ?active aging? was created based on disability/physical functioning, subjective health, cognitive functioning, satisfaction with life and productive activities performed. Physical health indicators (number of diagnosed disease) and personal characteristics (marital status and years of education) were used to analyze their association in the presence of active aging in the sample. The frequency of active aging is higher in men than in women (38,46 vs. 21,45) (χ2=14,36; p=0,000). There is higher percentage of women with health problems compared to men (χ2 = 13,96; p=0,003). Women in our sample have twice the diseases than men (U=18155,0; p= 0,000) and they also showed worse perceived health (χ2=6,81; p=0,009). Despite this worse apparent health status, women carried out more productive activities (t= -5,55; p=0,000) and dedicated less time to leisure activities than men (U= 19445,0; p= 0,000). In men, education level positively influences the presence of active aging (OR=0,94 [0,88-0,99]). Among women, only the diagnosed diseases can be considered as risk factor against the presence of active aging (OR=1,35 [1,06-1,72]). Health problems between men and women are also different. Women have more psychological (OR=4,14 [1,21-14,16]), muskuloskeletal (χ2=24,57; p=0,000) and cholesterol related problems (OR= 2,06 [1,11-8,81]), while men are more affected by genitourinary disorders (χ2=3,81; p=0,051). Differences observed in the prevalence of active aging between men and women in relation to sociocultural variables are surely determined by a gender effect across the life course. However, the number of illnesses remains as the most important factor against the presence of active aging among women of our sample. Greater attention is needed about less known health predictors and to physical and psychological burden associated to daily activities that differ between men and women.