Contribution of lifestyle to positive ageing in Hong Kong

Abstract

The Objective of this study is to examine the knowledge, use, and development of a healthy lifestyle, and the association with positive ageing, in a convenient sample of 2,970 community-living Hong Kong Chinese People aged 40–74 years stratified by age. A questionnaire containing items from these three domains (avoidance of disease, physical and cognitive functioning, engagement with life) was administered from which a positive ageing index was calculated. A lifestyle score was calculated from information regarding current knowledge, use, and development of a healthy lifestyle (relating to diet, exercise rest and relaxation, smoking habit and alcohol use). The association between lifestyle score and the positive ageing index was weaker compared with income and education level. We conclude that knowledge, use and development of a healthy lifestyle did not contribute greatly to the positive ageing process.