Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the associations among health behaviors, healthy body weight, and use of preventive services of adults 65 years and older using the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as a function of caregiving status.

METHODS:

Participants (N=6,138) residing in the states of Hawaii, Kansas, and Washington completed questions about caregiving. We examined if there were any associations among body weight--having a healthy weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m2); modifiable health behaviors--not smoking, consuming < or = 1 alcoholic beverage per day, consuming at least five fruits or vegetables daily, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week; and using preventive services--receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization.

RESULTS:

The two groups did not differ significantly on the modifiable health behaviors of fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking status, or alcohol consumption, or having a healthy weight. Caregivers were significantly more likely to meet physical activity recommendations than non-caregivers (54.1%, 42.0%, respectively, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between caregivers and non-caregivers on receiving influenza and pneumococcal immunization.

CONCLUSIONS:

Older adults who are caregivers are more likely than other older adults to meet government recommendations for physical activity; however, they have similar patterns of engaging in other health behaviors, including health eating and use of preventive services.