A Study on the Self-Perceived Health Status and Social Participation among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Taipei: The Use of Functional Foods as the Moderating Variable

• Main Authors: LAI, HSIN-FANG, 賴幸芳
• Other Authors: Shun-Tzu Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/x566y8

碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 生活應用科學系碩士在職專班 === 103 === The purpose of the research is to investigate the relationship between the uses of functional foods, self-perceived health status, and social participation among individuals who are 45 years old and older in the greater Taipei area. The study also examines the relationships between personal background characteristics and social participation as well as self-perceived health status and social participation among the participants when the uses of functional foods as the moderating variable. The study uses survey method and convenience sampling to recruit participants. Participants who are 45 years old and older, use functional foods, and reside in the greater Taipei area (Taipei City and New Taipei City) are eligible to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire contains personal background information (7 items), functional foods use scale (10 items), self-perceived health status scale (15 items), and social participation scale (27 items), which are 59 items in total. The researcher surveyed 412 participants and received 394 valid questionnaires. The response rate is 95.63%. The data was analyzed with descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t test, ANOVA, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. The findings are as follows. First, the majority of the participants take “Vitamin (26.5%),” in functional foods. Participants’ motivations and expected results by taking functional foods are to maintain the overall health. The main source of the functional foods is from family and friends. Nearly 60% of the participants did not inquire or inform health care specialist before using. Second, the consumption frequency of functional foods has significant differences on age and health status (F=3.13, p＜.01; t=3.66, p＜.001), and the consumption time of functional foods has significant differences on age and occupation (F=3.92, p＜.001; F=2.20, p＜.05). Monthly disposable amount of money of the participants is negatively correlated with age (r=-.14, p＜.01) and positively correlated with education (r=.34, p＜.01) and much positively correlated with monthly purchased total price (r=.13, p＜.05). Third, monthly disposable amount of money of the participants is significantly positively correlated with self-perceived health status (r=-.14, p＜.01) and leisure participation (r=.12, p＜.05). Fourth, self-perceived health status of the participants is significantly and positively correlated with social participation (r=.41, p＜.01). Last, functional foods consumption frequency for each age and social participation (β=-.40, p <.05), occupation and social participation (β=.32, p<.05), and education and social participation (β=.38, p <.05) with a significant moderating effect, and the effects of functional foods consumption on the level of education and social participation (β=.60, p<.05) has a significant moderation effect as well. The researcher provide suggestions and recommendations for middle-aged and older adults when selecting and purchasing functional foods as well as engaging in social participation in the future.