A latent class analysis of health lifestyles and health outcomes among Chinese older adults

Abstract

Prior analyses have repeatedly documented the association between individual health behaviours and health outcomes. Nonetheless, few studies have taken a health lifestyle theory approach to examine how health lifestyle behaviours have shaped Chinese older adults’ health status. Using the most recent 2011–2012 data released by the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), latent class analysis was applied to identify predominant health lifestyles among Chinese older adults aged 65–105. Four distinct classes representing health lifestyles emerged. Furthermore, the research found the way in which the four classes representing older adults’ health lifestyles can be predicted by the respondent's demographic and socio-economic characteristics. In addition, health lifestyles were found to be strongly associated with Chinese older adults’ health outcomes which were measured by self-rated health, functional independence, cognitive function and chronic diseases, even after controlling for demographic features as well as individual and parental socio-economic disadvantage. Findings supported the cumulative disadvantage theory in health. The research highlighted the importance of promoting health lifestyles to improve older adults’ health outcomes.

Lifestyle patterns, nutritional, and metabolic syndrome determinants in a sample of the older Iranian population

“…The majority of respondents had challenges related to sleep, alcohol, or smoking. In general, the health lifestyle profile of older Chinese adults appeared less promising [ 51 ]. Another study in Spain used LCA and identified three distinct multimorbidity patterns among Spanish adults aged 50 and older based on the presence or absence of 11 chronic conditions.…”

Health Lifestyle Theory in a Changing Society: The Rise of Infectious Diseases and Digitalization

“…Among elderly Chinese, however, those who are the most socioeconomically advantaged are most likely to have the healthiest lifestyles (Zhang 2021). This outcome suggests that the higher SEShealthiest lifestyle link exists in China but is most fully evident later in life.…”

“…This seems to be the case given that studies in the United States, Western Europe, and China find that higher SES adults are more fully represented in the healthiest lifestyles, especially in middle and older ages, compared to lower strata individuals (Cockerham, Wolfe, and Bauldry 2020; de Vries et al 2008; Kroesen 2019; van den Broek 2021; Zhang 2021). Lawrence et al (2020:14) suggest that despite experimentation when younger, high SES groups “come to reject risky health lifestyles as they complete advanced education, establish long-term relationships, and enter into occupational careers.” In sum, it can be said that individual health lifestyles often include a mixture of health-promoting and health-harming behaviors that are nonetheless aligned along social gradients throughout most of the life course, with the healthiest practices usually associated with higher SES and the least healthy with lower SES.…”

“…This is seen in a sizable body of research attesting to the substantial role of health lifestyles in health and mortality outcomes (Behrens et al 2013; Cockerham et al 2017; Khaw et al 2008; Loef and Walach 2012; Mollborn et al 2020; Saint Onge and Krueger 2017; Schnermann et al 2021; van Dam et al 2008; Zhang 2021). Estimates of added years of life expectancy associated with a healthy lifestyle at age 50 in the United States range from 7 to 14 additional years beyond that of people with unhealthy lifestyles (Li et al 2018; Metha and Myrskylä 2017).…”

Contributions and Challenges in Health Lifestyles Research

“…Adolescents’ health lifestyles are associated with health outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood (Burdette et al 2017). Similarly, adolescent and young adult health lifestyles predict young adult health outcomes (Lawrence et al 2017), and adults’ health lifestyles are associated with health and mortality (Saint Onge and Krueger 2017; Zhang 2021). There are many complexities to consider given that relationships can vary according to the different behaviors enacted in a lifestyle and that those same behaviors have different health effects.…”