Shari McMahan

Alternative Therapy Use Among the Young-Old (Ages 65 to 74): An Evaluation of the MIDUS Database

By the year 2020, 20% of the U.S. population will be age 65 years or older. From a health care perspective, there is growing concern about the aging population. Little is known about the elderly and their use of alternative therapies. This study included data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Three-hundred and thirty-five participants between the ages of 65 and 74 completed the interview and mailback questionnaire. One-hundred and forty-five individuals (43.3%) reported using alternative medicine therapies during the past year. The most common types of alternative medicine utilized were as follows: spiritual practices, exercise/movement therapies, special diets, chiropractic, and meditation. Income, education, and sex of respondent were found to be predictors of alternative therapy use among this age group. Results from this study could provide conventional practitioners greater awareness of the health beliefs and practices of their young-old patients.

Implications for an Aging Workforce.

Americas workforce is aging, with over 20% of the workforce expected to be aged 55 and over by the year 2015, an increase of nearly 50% through 2014. As people age, their resistance to harmful exposures is reduced. Injury data suggest that although elderly workers are less likely to be hurt seriously enough to lose worktime, they often take twice the time needed to return to work. Very little is known about physiological changes and how these changes affect individual performance, productivity, and safety. This article highlights some of these changes and offers suggestions to employers and academic institutions to support employees as they adapt and cope with these changes.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Perception and Knowledge: A Comparison of Hispanic and White College Students in a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

There are clear health conditions that disproportionately affect the Hispanic population. One hundred twenty-four (45%) Hispanic and 153 (55%) White college students completed a questionnaire on cardiovascular disease (CVD) awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of risk. Results indicated that Hispanic students rated themselves as poorer in health, more overweight, poorer in nutrition, and less knowledgeable about CVD risk than did White students. Practitioners would benefit from developing CVD prevention programs that targeted the Hispanic population.

Aging and Employment: Characteristics of Those Working and Retired in California

Abstract Little is known about the aging workers psychological, social, and physiological characteristics. In this study, 447 individuals (working and retired) aged 50 and over completed the California Work and Health survey. Most of the working respondents (n = 150) were employed full-time and worked in education, health care, government, and retail trade. Those working reported being in greater health, being less depressed, and having more energy and activities than those retired. There was no difference between those working and retired in social and psychological characteristics such as number of friendships and ability to control important things in life and overcome difficulties. Educating managers and business professionals about these characteristics is essential given anticipated social security system changes in the future.

Comparison of Body Mass Index (BMI) Categories Based on Asian and Universal Standards and Language Spoken at Home among Asian American University Students

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization released lower Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoff points for Asian individuals to account for increased body fat percentage (BF%) and risk of obesity-related conditions at a lower body mass index. Purpose: This preliminary study: (1) explores the impact of utilizing Asian BMI standards (compared to universal standards) on the overweight/obese categorization of Asian females and males; and (2) determines whether age, gender, acculturation, and living arrangements are associated with BMI and BF%. Methods: Data on demographic variables, height and weight, BF%, living situation, and language spoken at home were collected from 170 Asian students enrolled in a health course at a public university in California. Results: When Asian BMI cutoffs were applied, categorization of Asian males and females as normal weight decreased significantly. Language spoken at home was not significantly associated with BMI; however, acculturated females tended to have higher BMIs than non-acculturated females, while acculturated males tended to have lower BMIs than non-acculturated males. Discussion: Utilization of Asian-specific BMI cutoffs will significantly increase the reported prevalence of overweight and obesity among Asians. Acculturation to the United States may be a risk factor for overweight/obesity especially among Asian females. Translation to Health Education Practice: Asian-specific BMI cutoffs may be appropriate in clinical settings, given that overweight-obesity related conditions occur at relatively lower rates of BMI and BF% among Asians.