The role of different lifestyles on elderly’s Health. Data from the MentDis_ICF65+ Study

Due to demographic change mental health of the elderly increasingly becomes a focus of interest. Specifically aging can bear considerable consequences for physical and mental health, since it comprises numerous stress factors (e.g. social isolation, reduced functional capacity, somatic comorbidity). Sedentary habits, especially TV viewing, have been identified as potential risk factors for people’s health. The present research project is part of a broader international research project called MentDis_ICF65+, funded by the European Community, on the prevalence and incidence of Mental Disorders in the elderly. The MentDis_ICF65+ research group comprises 7 partners from 6 different European Countries and associated states (Italy – University of Ferrara, Germany – University of Hamburg and University of Dresden, UK - Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, Switzerland – University of Geneva, Spain- Complutense University, Madrid, Israel – Jerusalem University) and has collected data from around 3000 people in the general population between 65 and 84 years old. From these data we analyzed the association between physical and mental health and sedentary habits, in particular TV viewing, in a subsample of 1383 elderly people. There are indeed associations between TV viewing and medical and mental health problems. Results support therefore the emerging indication that as well as promoting programs for increasing physical activity levels in the elderly, it would be also extremely important to raise awareness of the negative consequences of sedentary habits, TV viewing in particular, and design programs to help people reducing the time spent in such in-activity.