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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research article

Explanations of socioeconomic differences in changes in physical function in older adults: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Authors: Annemarie Koster, Hans Bosma, Marjolein I Broese van Groenou, Gertrudis IJM Kempen, Brenda WJH Penninx, Jacques ThM van Eijk, Dorly JH Deeg

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2006

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Abstract

Background

This study examines the association between socioeconomic status and changes in physical function in younger- (aged 55–70 years) and older-old (aged 70–85 years) adults and seeks to determine the relative contribution of diseases, behavioral, and psychosocial factors in explaining this association.

Methods

Data were from 2,366 men and women, aged 55–85 years, participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). Two indicators of socioeconomic status were used: education and income. Physical function was measured by self-reported physical ability over nine years of follow-up.

Results

In older adults, low socioeconomic status was related to a poorer level of physical function during nine years of follow-up. In subjects who were between 55 and 70 years old, there was an additional significant socioeconomic-differential decline in physical function, while socioeconomic differentials did not further widen in subjects 70 years and older. Behavioral factors, mainly BMI and physical activity, largely explained the socioeconomic differences in physical function in the youngest age group, while psychosocial factors reduced socioeconomic status differences most in the oldest age group.

Conclusion

The findings indicate age-specificity of both the pattern of socioeconomic status differences in function in older persons and the mechanisms underlying these associations.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Explanations of socioeconomic differences in changes in physical function in older adults: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam
Authors
Annemarie Koster
Hans Bosma
Marjolein I Broese van Groenou
Gertrudis IJM Kempen
Brenda WJH Penninx
Jacques ThM van Eijk
Dorly JH Deeg
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-6-244

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