The Influence of Social Isolation on the Preventive Behaviors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan

Yuko Yamaguchi, Masako Yamada, Elsi Dwi Hapsari and Hiroya Matsuo
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Yuko Yamaguchi: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma, Kobe, Hyogo 6540142, Japan
Masako Yamada: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma, Kobe, Hyogo 6540142, Japan
Elsi Dwi Hapsari: Department of Pediatric and Maternity Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
Hiroya Matsuo: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma, Kobe, Hyogo 6540142, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the relationship between one’s physical status related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and social isolation, and to identify lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of NCDs associated with social isolation among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate lifestyle behaviors for NCD prevention associated with social isolation in Japanese adults aged 60 years and above in a community setting. Out of 57 participants, 17.5% were not socially participative, 66.7% hardly ever, 29.8% sometimes, and 3.5% often felt loneliness. Non-social participation and loneliness were negatively related to the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Additionally, loneliness was positively associated with one’s duration of smoking and current smoking habits, and negatively associated with the frequency of moderate-intensity activities, with marginal significance. Those with non-social participation or loneliness were less likely to eat a healthy diet and live a smoke-free lifestyle. The findings of this study suggest that a mutual health support system in the community and the development of community-based approaches for the prevention of NCDs among Japanese older adults are needed.

Keywords: social isolation; social participation; loneliness; lifestyle; prevention; non-communicable diseases; community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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