EVALUATION OF DIETARY, EXERCISE AND MEDICATION-USE HABITS OF THE ELDERLY IN THE CITY OF YALOVA WITH RESPECT TO THEIR SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

In this study, we evaluated the relationship among the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals aged ≥65 years who consulted a Family Health Centre in Turkey and their dietary, exercise and medication-use habits. This study aimed to find out the nutrition, medication-use, and exercise habits of the elderly in Turkey and whether demographic characteristics have any impact on their dietary, medication-use, and exercise habits. A 34-item questionnaire was used as a data-collection tool, and body mass index was calculated as an indicator of dietary and exercise habits. Sociodemographic characteristics were independent variables, and dietary habits, physical exercise routines, medication-use habits were dependent variables. Four hundred elderly individuals (208 women, 52%; 192 men, 48%) voluntarily participated in the study. Among them, 270 (67.4%) were in the 65–74-year age group, 279 (69.8%) were married, and 197 (49.2%) were elementary-school graduates. One hundred eighty-two participants (45.5%) were housewives, 192 (48%) were retired, and 294 (73.5%) did not follow a diet plan. One hundred four participants (26%) were Grade-I overweight, 30 (7.5%) were Grade-II overweight, and 3 (0.8%) were morbidly obese. Approximately 70% participants experienced ageing-related changes in their eating habits. One hundred ninety-two participants (48%) undertook physical exercise and sports. Women more frequently had chronic disease (92.3% women vs. 85.9% men), and chronic diseases were the least common among university graduates. Three hundred thirty-five participants with a chronic disease (83.3%) took their medication regularly. Some sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly showed relationships with dietary, exercise, and medication-use habits.