Population based study of social and productive activities as predictors of survival among elderly Americans

BMJ 1999;319:478-483 ( 21 August )

Papers

Population based study of social and productive activities as predictors of survival among elderly Americans

Thomas A Glass, assistant professor, ^a Carlos Mendes de Leon, associate professor, ^b Richard A Marottoli, associate professor, ^c Lisa F Berkman, professor and chair. ^a

^a Harvard University School of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Behavior, Boston, MA 02115, United States, ^b Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States, ^c Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, DC 023, New Haven, CT 06504, United States

Correspondence to: TA Glass tglass{at}hsph.harvard.edu

Objectives: To examine any association between social,productive, and physical activity and 13 year survival in olderpeople.
Design: Prospective cohort study with annual mortalityfollow up. Activity and other measures were assessed by structuredinterviews at baseline in the participants' homes. Proportionalhazards models were used to model survival from time of initialinterview.
Setting: City of New Haven, Connecticut, UnitedStates.
Participants: 2761 men and women from a random populationsample of 2812 people aged 65 andolder.
Main outcome measure: Mortality from all causes during 13 yearsof followup.
Results: All three types of activity were independentlyassociated with survival after age, sex, race/ethnicity, maritalstatus, income, body mass index, smoking, functional disability,and history of cancer, diabetes, stroke, and myocardial infarctionwere controlledfor.
Conclusions: Social and productive activities that involvelittle or no enhancement of fitness lower the risk of all causemortality as much as fitness activities do. This suggests thatin addition to increased cardiopulmonary fitness, activity mayconfer survival benefits through psychosocial pathways. Socialand productive activities that require less physical exertionmay complement exercise programmes and may constitute alternativeinterventions for frail elderlypeople.

Key messages

Little is known about predictors of survival among elderly people
Physical activity is clearly good for health, but the potential benefits of social activities have not been studied
Social and productive activities are as effective as fitness activities in lowering the risk of death
Enhanced social activities may help to increase the quality and length of life

© BMJ 1999

CiteULike

Complore

Connotea

Del.icio.us Add to Digg

Digg

Technorati What's this?

Relevant Articles

Social and productive activities in elderly people: Chris Riddoch, Matthew Molineux, Gerson T Lesser, and Thomas A Glass
BMJ 2000 320: 184. [Extract] [Full Text]

Social activities lengthen life in elderly Americans
BMJ 1999 319: 0. [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

Agahi, N., Parker, M. G. (2008). Leisure Activities and Mortality: Does Gender Matter?. J Aging Health 20: 855-871 [Abstract]
Abel, T (2008). Cultural capital and social inequality in health.. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 62: e13-e13 [Abstract] [Full text]
Sugihara, Y., Sugisawa, H., Shibata, H., Harada, K. (2008). Productive Roles, Gender, and Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study of Late-Middle-Aged Japanese. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 63: P227-P234 [Abstract] [Full text]
Terracciano, A., Lockenhoff, C. E., Zonderman, A. B., Ferrucci, L., Costa, P. T. Jr (2008). Personality Predictors of Longevity: Activity, Emotional Stability, and Conscientiousness. Psychosom. Med. 70: 621-627 [Abstract] [Full text]
Kaskie, B., Imhof, S., Cavanaugh, J., Culp, K. (2008). Civic Engagement as a Retirement Role for Aging Americans. Gerontologist 48: 368-377 [Abstract] [Full text]
Jacobs, J. M., Cohen, A., Hammerman-Rozenberg, R., Azoulay, D., Maaravi, Y., Stessman, J. (2008). Going Outdoors Daily Predicts Long-Term Functional and Health Benefits Among Ambulatory Older People. J Aging Health 20: 259-272 [Abstract]
Jacobs, J. M., Hammerman-Rozenberg, R., Cohen, A., Stessman, J. (2008). Reading Daily Predicts Reduced Mortality Among Men From a Cohort of Community-Dwelling 70-Year-Olds. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 63: S73-S80 [Abstract] [Full text]
Van Puymbroeck, M., Payne, L. L., Hsieh, P.-C. (2007). A Phase I Feasibility Study of Yoga on the Physical Health and Coping of Informal Caregivers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 4: 519-529 [Abstract] [Full text]
Stafford, M., Chandola, T., Marmot, M. (2007). Association Between Fear of Crime and Mental Health and Physical Functioning. Am. J. Public Health 97: 2076-2081 [Abstract] [Full text]
Nikolsky, E., Mehran, R., Dangas, G., Fahy, M., Na, Y., Pocock, S. J., Lincoff, A. M., Stone, G. W. (2007). Development and validation of a prognostic risk score for major bleeding in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention via the femoral approach. Eur Heart J 28: 1936-1945 [Abstract] [Full text]
Klumb, P. L., Maier, H. (2007). Daily Activities and Survival at Older Ages. J Aging Health 19: 594-611 [Abstract]
Hinterlong, J. E., Morrow-Howell, N., Rozario, P. A. (2007). Productive Engagement and Late Life Physical and Mental Health: Findings from a Nationally Representative Panel Study. Research on Aging 29: 348-370 [Abstract]
Burr, J. A., Mutchler, J. E., Caro, F. G. (2007). Productive Activity Clusters Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Intersecting Forms and Time Commitments. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 62: S267-S275 [Abstract] [Full text]
Sloan, R. P. (2007). Attendance at Religious Services, Health, and the Lessons of Trinity. Psychosom. Med. 69: 493-494 [Full text]
Joung, H.-M., Miller, N. J. (2007). Examining the Effects of Fashion Activities on Life Satisfaction of Older Females: Activity Theory Revisited. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal 35: 338-356 [Abstract]
Hoppmann, C. A., Gerstorf, D., Smith, J., Klumb, P. L. (2007). Linking Possible Selves and Behavior: Do Domain-Specific Hopes and Fears Translate Into Daily Activities in Very Old Age?. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 62: P104-P111 [Abstract] [Full text]
Peel, N. M., McClure, R. J., Hendrikz, J. K. (2007). Psychosocial factors associated with fall-related hip fractures. Age Ageing 36: 145-151 [Abstract] [Full text]
Gruenewald, T. L., Karlamangla, A. S., Greendale, G. A., Singer, B. H., Seeman, T. E. (2007). Feelings of Usefulness to Others, Disability, and Mortality in Older Adults: The MacArthur Study of Successful Aging. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 62: P28-P37 [Abstract] [Full text]
Cohen, G. D., Perlstein, S., Chapline, J., Kelly, J., Firth, K. M., Simmens, S. (2006). The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Functioning of Older Adults. Gerontologist 46: 726-734 [Abstract] [Full text]
Nilsson, I., Lofgren, B., Fisher, A. G., Bernspang, B. (2006). Focus on Leisure Repertoire in the Oldest Old: The Umea 85+ Study. Journal of Applied Gerontology 25: 391-405 [Abstract]
Glass, T. A., De Leon, C. F. M., Bassuk, S. S., Berkman, L. F. (2006). Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms in Late Life: Longitudinal Findings.. J Aging Health 18: 604-628 [Abstract]
Hyyppa, M. T., Maki, J., Impivaara, O., Aromaa, A. (2006). Leisure participation predicts survival: a population-based study in Finland. HEALTH PROMOT INT 21: 5-12 [Abstract] [Full text]
Sun, R., Liu, Y. (2006). Mortality of the Oldest Old in China: The Role of Social and Solitary Customary Activities. J Aging Health 18: 37-55
Cheng, S.-T., Chan, A. C. M. (2006). Relationship With Others and Life Satisfaction in Later Life: Do Gender and Widowhood Make a Difference?. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 61: P46-P53 [Abstract] [Full text]
Wilson, R. S., Krueger, K. R., Gu, L., Bienias, J. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Evans, D. A. (2005). Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Mortality in a Defined Population of Older Persons. Psychosom. Med. 67: 841-845 [Abstract] [Full text]
Bagiella, E., Hong, V., Sloan, R. P (2005). Religious attendance as a predictor of survival in the EPESE cohorts. Int J Epidemiol 34: 443-451 [Abstract] [Full text]
Barnes, L. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Wilson, R. S., Bienias, J. L., Evans, D. A. (2004). Social resources and cognitive decline in a population of older African Americans and whites. Neurology 63: 2322-2326 [Abstract] [Full text]
Jang, Y., Mortimer, J. A., Haley, W. E., Graves, A. R. B. (2004). The Role of Social Engagement in Life Satisfaction: Its Significance among Older Individuals with Disease and Disability. Journal of Applied Gerontology 23: 266-278 [Abstract]
Noice, H., Noice, T., Staines, G. (2004). A Short-Term Intervention to Enhance Cognitive and Affective Functioning in Older Adults. J Aging Health 16: 562-585 [Abstract]
Kuo, Y.-F., Raji, M. A., Peek, M. K., Goodwin, J. S. (2004). Health-Related Social Disengagement in Elderly Diabetic Patients: Association with subsequent disability and survival. Diabetes Care 27: 1630-1637 [Abstract] [Full text]
Barnes, L. L., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Bienias, J. L., Evans, D. A. (2004). A Longitudinal Study of Black-White Differences in Social Resources. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 59: S146-S153 [Abstract] [Full text]
Dziura, J., Mendes de Leon, C., Kasl, S., DiPietro, L. (2004). Can Physical Activity Attenuate Aging-related Weight Loss in Older People?: The Yale Health and Aging Study, 1982-1994. Am J Epidemiol 159: 759-767 [Abstract] [Full text]
Hyyppa, M. T., Maki, J. (2003). Social participation and health in a community rich in stock of social capital. Health Educ Res 18: 770-779 [Abstract] [Full text]
Mendes de Leon, C. F., Glass, T. A., Berkman, L. F. (2003). Social Engagement and Disability in a Community Population of Older Adults: The New Haven EPESE. Am J Epidemiol 157: 633-642 [Abstract] [Full text]
Crowther, M. R., Parker, M. W., Achenbaum, W. A., Larimore, W. L., Koenig, H. G. (2002). Rowe and Kahn's Model of Successful Aging Revisited: Positive Spirituality--The Forgotten Factor. Gerontologist 42: 613-620 [Abstract] [Full text]
Silverstein, M., Parker, M. G. (2002). Leisure Activities and Quality of Life among the Oldest Old in Sweden. Research on Aging 24: 528-547 [Abstract]
Wang, H.-X., Karp, A., Winblad, B., Fratiglioni, L. (2002). Late-Life Engagement in Social and Leisure Activities Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Dementia: A Longitudinal Study from the Kungsholmen Project. Am J Epidemiol 155: 1081-1087 [Abstract] [Full text]
Bassuk, S. S., Berkman, L. F., Amick, B. C. III (2002). Socioeconomic Status and Mortality among the Elderly: Findings from Four US Communities. Am J Epidemiol 155: 520-533 [Abstract] [Full text]
Jenkins, K. R., Pienta, A. M., Horgas, A. L. (2002). Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Research on Aging 24: 124-149 [Abstract]
Lennartsson, C., Silverstein, M. (2001). Does Engagement With Life Enhance Survival of Elderly People in Sweden? The Role of Social and Leisure Activities. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 56: S335-342 [Abstract] [Full text]
Cohen, G. D. (2001). Exeunt Omnes: Everyone Leaves. AJGP 9: 187-190 [Full text]
Bates, J. H., Serdula, M. K., Khan, L. K., Jones, D. A., Macera, C. A., Ainsworth, B. E., Lesser, G. T., Lee, I-M., Rexrode, K. M., Cook, N. R., Manson, J. E., Buring, J. E. (2001). Intensity of Physical Activity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease. JAMA 285: 2973-2974 [Full text]
de Leon, C. F. M., Gold, D. T., Glass, T. A., Kaplan, L., George, L. K. (2001). Disability as a Function of Social Networks and Support in Elderly African Americans and Whites: The Duke EPESE 1986-1992. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 56: S179-S190 [Abstract] [Full text]
Jha, A. K., Shlipak, M. G., Hosmer, W., Frances, C. D., Browner, W. S. (2001). Racial Differences in Mortality Among Men Hospitalized in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System. JAMA 285: 297-303 [Abstract] [Full text]
Marottoli, R. A., de Leon, C. F. M., Glass, T. A., Williams, C. S., Cooney, L. M. Jr., Berkman, L. F. (2000). Consequences of Driving Cessation: Decreased Out-of-Home Activity Levels. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 55: 334S-340 [Abstract] [Full text]
(2000). Other articles noted. Evid. Based Nurs. 3: 106-112 [Full text]
Gill, T. M., DiPietro, L., Krumholz, H. M. (2000). Role of Exercise Stress Testing and Safety Monitoring for Older Persons Starting an Exercise Program. JAMA 284: 342-349 [Abstract] [Full text]
Everard, K. M., Lach, H. W., Fisher, E. B., Baum, M. C. (2000). Relationship of Activity and Social Support to the Functional Health of Older Adults. J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 55: S208-S212 [Abstract] [Full text]
Stoddart, H., Sharp, D., Harvey, I. (2000). Social networks are important in preventing dependency in old age. BMJ 320: 1277a-1277 [Full text]
Gardner, M. M, Robertson, M C., Campbell, A J. (2000). Exercise in preventing falls and fall related injuries in older people: a review of randomised controlled trials. Br. J. Sports. Med. 34: 7-17 [Abstract] [Full text]
Riddoch, C., Molineux, M., Lesser, G. T, Glass, T. A (2000). Social and productive activities in elderly people. BMJ 320: 184-184 [Full text]
de Leon, C. F. M. (1999). Depression and Social Support in Recovery From Myocardial Infarction: Confounding and Confusion. Psychosom. Med. 61: 738-739 [Full text]
(1999). Nonphysical Activities Might Lower Mortality Risk. JWatch Psychiatry 1999: 12-12 [Full text]
(1999). Productive Activities Increase Survival in the Elderly. JWatch Women's Health 1999: 17-17 [Full text]
(1999). Nonphysical Activities Might Lower Mortality Risk. JWatch General 1999: 2-2 [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Activity and occupation.: Matthew L Molineux
bmj.com, 24 Aug 1999 [Full text]
In support of meaningful occupation for the elderly: Karen Rebeiro
bmj.com, 26 Aug 1999 [Full text]
Social and productive activities as predictors of survival among elderly Americans: Gerson T Lesser
bmj.com, 5 Oct 1999 [Full text]
Social, productive and fitness activities have been confused: Chris Riddoch
bmj.com, 16 Oct 1999 [Full text]