Sleep Quality and Sedentary Lifestyle are two main challenges for Tehran’s elderly / Health in old age, which are the product of continuous choices throughout life
Sleep Quality and Sedentary Lifestyle are two main challenges for Tehran's elderly / Health in old age, which are the product of continuous choices throughout life
A faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, noting the increase in life expectancy, emphasized that today the main question is how to live during old age; results of a study show that sleep quality and lack of physical activity are considered two key challenges for the elderly in Tehran, which require regional policymaking.
According to a report by Web Day, Dr. Nasibeh Zanjari, a faculty member of the Gerontology Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, at the Tarjoman Danesh specialized meeting held to improve macro-level health policies, noted the increasing trend of life expectancy in recent decades and stated: Reaching the ages of 60 or 70 is no longer the end of the road, and many individuals continue their lives into their 80s and 90s; therefore, the main question for society is no longer how long we live, but rather how we live has become important.
Presenting the research results conducted on the lifestyle of the elderly in Tehran, Dr. Zanjari assessed the general lifestyle status of this group as average and added: Based on the findings of this study, there are significant opportunities for improvement, and sleep quality and lack of physical activity have been identified as two main and decisive challenges in maintaining the physical and mental health of the elderly.
Referring to the prevalence of chronic diseases in the target population, this university researcher stated: Nearly half of the elderly studied suffer from high blood pressure, and the prevalence of diabetes and musculoskeletal problems is also evident among them.
Regarding the impact of social and economic variables on the health of the elderly, she said: Elderly individuals who live alone or have lower levels of education face more serious difficulties in obtaining adequate nutrition. Although salt and sugar consumption patterns among the elderly have improved somewhat, the consumption of protein sources such as meat and legumes remains below the desired level.
Dr. Zanjari, noting gender differences in lifestyle, stated: Elderly women generally have a healthier lifestyle compared to men, but on the other hand, stress levels among them are higher, which requires special attention from health officials.
The faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences further addressed the importance of environmental factors and said: The health status of the elderly is not uniform and is influenced by the place of residence and social conditions; for example, in more affluent areas of Tehran, although the sleep quality of the elderly is more desirable, we witness higher stress levels among them. These findings prove that elderly health does not depend solely on individual choices, but urban facilities and environmental conditions play an important role; therefore, formulating policy frameworks specific to each region and neighborhood to promote healthy aging is an undeniable necessity
Dr. Zanjari concluded by noting: Health in old age is rooted in the early years of life and is the result of the accumulation of an individual's social, physical, and psychological experiences over time. She emphasized: To achieve a desirable period of old age, we must pay special attention to sleep quality, nutrition, physical activity, mental tranquility, and the quality of social relationships starting from today, because healthy aging is the product of our small but continuous choices throughout life.
It is noteworthy that this meeting, aimed at the translation of knowledge and utilizing research findings to improve macro-level health policies, was held through the efforts of the Knowledge Translation Unit of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.
نظر دهید