Development and evaluation through structural equation modeling of a model of healthy behaviours in older adults

Abstract

Unhealthy behaviours contribute significantly to chronic disease. Longitudinal studies report improvements in the health of older adults after positive changes in health behaviours. A conceptual model of healthy behaviours in older adults was developed based on prospective evidence. Structural equation modeling was used to test specific hypotheses in a sample of 980 family practice patients over 65 years who attended a cardiovascular health awareness session. A model was specified that included variables reflecting health status, health-related quality of life, physician counseling and patient knowledge (p=0.02, CFI=0.97, RMSEA=0.039). Health-related quality is the most important pathway to healthy lifestyle behaviours (beta=0.41). Physician counseling is the most important pathway to healthy self-care behaviours (beta=0.64). This preliminary model provides evidence of the importance of health-related quality of life and physician counseling for influencing healthy behaviours among older adults.