Determinants of Successful Aging in a Cohort of Filipino Women

• Main Authors: Emma Tzioumis, Josephine Avila, Linda S. Adair
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
• Series: Geriatrics
• Subjects: successful aging; self-rated health; low- and middle-income countries; women
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/4/1/12

This study describes a multidimensional measure of successful aging (SA) and examines the relationship with chronic disease status and self-reported health. Using data from the 2015 Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey of 1568 Filipino women, we created a four domain measure of SA (physiological, mental health, cognitive, sociological). We explored age-stratified associations of each domain and total SA with various health behaviors, chronic disease status, and correlations with self-reported health measures. Both age groups reported aging well, but younger women had higher mean SA scores. Association patterns between domain and total SA and sociodemographic and health behaviors were similar across age groups. Physiological score was associated with hypertension for all ages, and with diabetes in younger women. Total SA was moderately correlated with self-reported health measures. Participants reported aging successfully despite chronic disease status. Future studies should use a multidimensional definition of SA which incorporates elders’ perspective.