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BMC Geriatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Mood Disorders | Research

Does digital technology make people healthier: the impact of digital use on the lifestyle of Chinese older adults

Authors: Kaichang Cui, Wei Zou, Xiang Ji, Xinghui Zhang

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

With the arrival of the era of large-scale production, sharing and application of data, digital use has gradually changed people’s daily entertainment, consumption, social interaction, learning and other behaviors in its efficient form. This paper mainly discusses whether this fast and convenient behavior leads Chinese older adults to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Methods

Using the most recent information from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2020, this paper conducted a descriptive statistical analysis on the basic situation of digital use and lifestyles among Chinese older adults and used a structural equation model to analyse the influence of frequency and types of digital use in a variety of different aspects of the real life of Chinese older adults.

Results

Research revealed that the quality of life of Chinese older adults improved significantly as a result of their use of digital technology. The frequency of digital use (FDU) significantly improved Chinese older adults’ diet, sleep, exercise, smoking and drinking, and relieved their depression. The types of digital use (TDU) had a significant positive correlation with the lifestyle of Chinese older adults, especially in the influence of digital entertainment (DE), digital consumption (DC) and digital social interaction (DI) on the lifestyle of Chinese older adults.

Conclusions

Digital use can improve the health of Chinese older adults by promoting a healthy lifestyle through various means. The findings of this study have a substantial positive impact on bridging the digital divide that Chinese older adults face, as well as fostering the integration of digital use into their healthy lifestyles.

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Title: Does digital technology make people healthier: the impact of digital use on the lifestyle of Chinese older adults
Authors: Kaichang Cui
Wei Zou
Xiang Ji
Xinghui Zhang
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04651-1

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