Purpose
This study examined physical activity and health-related factors affecting Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in older adults with lower educational levels.
Methods
Data were obtained from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Ⅶ-1, 2016; Ⅶ-2, 2017). The sample consisted of 2,985 individuals aged 65 years or older, and the focus was on 1,788 older adults with low educational levels. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, x2 test, and hierarchical multiple linear regression using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program.
Results
The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that subjective perceived health, cognitive stress, number of chronic diseases, and daily activity explained 25% of the variance in HRQoL after controlling for age and gender. In final model, physical activity types explained an additional 1% of the variance in HRQoL; walking was a significant predictor. Especially, among the various physical activity types, walking proved important for HRQoL. While aerobic exercise and strength exercise were associated with health status, in the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, they did not have an impact on HRQoL.
Conclusion
A walking-centric health care program to improve physical activity should be considered for HRQoL improvement in older adults with lower educational levels. Further research should consider how aerobic exercise and strength exercise could contribute to HRQoL improvement in this population.

Citations

• The Mediating Effect of Physical Activity on the Relationship between Depression and Health-related Quality of Life among Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes in Seoul
  In-Young Yoo
  Journal of The Korean Society of Living Environmental System.2025; 32(2): 179.     CrossRef
• The impact of health literacy, walking practice, and sarcopenia on health-related quality of life in rural older adults: A cross-sectional descriptive study
  Yun Mi Lee, Eun-Jung Kim
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2025; 27(2): 226.     CrossRef
• Effects of sleep quality and physical activity measured by a Fitbit and self-rated questionnaire on the health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study
  Mi Ui Jeong, Yeongmi Ha
  Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2024; 26(1): 43.     CrossRef
• Prediction model of health-related quality of life in older adults according to gender using a decision tree model: a study based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  Hee Sun Kim, Seok Hee Jeong
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2024; 26(1): 26.     CrossRef
• Factors Associated with Poor Self-Rated Health among Older Women Living Alone
  Eunha Kim, Hye Young Choi
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(18): 11182.     CrossRef
• Associated Factors with Health-related Quality of Life among Older Adults with Diabetes in Korea
  Eun-Kyung Lee, Sun-Young Jung
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2022; 25(2): 61.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Health-Related Quality of Life among Korean Seniors with Osteoarthritis: Focusing on 10-Year Duration with Osteoarthritis Disease
  Hye Young Choi
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(5): 526.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
Fatigue is common in older adults and may decrease the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level and characteristics of fatigue of older adults, and identify the factors associated with fatigue.
METHODS
This study used a secondary data analysis (n=200). Data collection was conducted from July to September 2015. Fatigue Severity Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea Version, Korean Version of Physical Activity Scale for Elderly, and Verran & Synder-Halpern Sleep Scale were used.
RESULTS
We used the data from 200 older adults in a local senior welfare center. Their average age was 74.5 years. We found that 35.5% of them had fatigue (≥4). The reported factors alleviating fatigue were taking rest, warm bath, and sleeping. Engaging in light sports was also reported to alleviate fatigue. The level of fatigue was higher in subjects with older age (p=.009), lower income (p=.003), higher number of diseases (p < .001), more medications (p < .001), and lower perceived health status (p < .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, the factors predicting fatigue were older age (p < .001), depression (p < .001), pain (p=.001), irregular exercise (p=.013), and lower perceived health status (p < .001). The explanatory power of the model was 47.5%.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that depression and pain were risk factors although engaging in light sports was a factor alleviating fatigue in older adults. The fatigue management strategies tailored to alleviate fatigue in older individuals by reducing these manageable risk factors are needed.

Citations

• Fatigue-Related Factors for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Diabetes: A Theory-Guided Multi-Dimensional Approach Using the Dynamic Biopsychosocial Model
  Hyerang Kim, Heesook Son
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(22): 4502.     CrossRef
• Differences of Stress, Sleep Quality and Metabolic Syndrome by Prolonged Fatigue in Early Adulthood
  Bok Nam Seo, Inja Kim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(2): 202.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)-led self-management program on cardiovascular health status among Korean women at risk of developing or progressing cardiovascular disease.
METHODS
This pilot study used one-group pre- and post- test experimental design. At health fairs in a community, 30 women who had one or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. A total of 25 women completed the study. The intervention consisted of weekly follow-up calls and self-monitoring diary after an hour of individual counseling regarding risk factors, fast walking, and healthy diet tailored to the participants' needs. Physical activity was assessed with the World Health Organization International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a pedometer.
RESULTS
Participants showed statistically significant improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, numbers of metabolic syndrome factors, and the 10-year CV risk estimate after one month of concentrated intervention. In addition, their physical activity behavior significantly improved after the intervention.
CONCLUSION
This APN-led self-management program targeting modifiable risk factors by offering tailored counseling and concentrated support during the transition might be effective in preventing progression to the cardiovascular disease.

Citations

• Cardiometabolic Risk of Visceral Fat Obesity and Factors Influencing Visceral Fat in Overweight or Obese Middle-Aged Korean Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Sujin Kim, Nah-Mee Shin, Jiwon Choi
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2024; 36(4): 320.     CrossRef
• Self-Management Program for Heart Healthy Behavior Among Middle- and Old-Aged Korean Women at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
  Nah-Mee Shin, JiWon Choi, InHae Cho, Byung-Jun Park
  Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.2017; 32(6): E8.     CrossRef
• Development and Effectiveness of Tailored Education and Counseling Program for Patients with Coronary Artery Disease undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  So-Yeon Kim, Min Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2017; 29(5): 547.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a walking program for office workers in terms of social cognitive theory, walking activities and physiological indexes.
METHODS
A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The sample consisted of 50 office workers who were identified as having low levels of physical activity according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ Research Committee, 2005). The participants were recruited from two companies in Seoul. Of the 50 participants, 26 were assigned to the non-equivalent experimental group and 24 to the control group. The walking program consisted of six didactic sessions via e-mail, two individual telecoaching sessions and three support group meetings over ten weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 program.
RESULTS
The non-equivalent experimental group reported significantly higher posttest scores in walking activities and adhering to the walking protocol than the control group. There were no differences in reported self-efficacy, outcome expectations, body mass index and blood pressure between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that a walking program based on social cognitive theory is effective in increasing physical activities for office workers.

PURPOSE
The purpose of present study was to explore relationship between physical activity (PA) behavior and self-efficacy among older Korean-Americans (OKAs) based on reviewing major theories that are used to understand PA behavior, particularly as they relate to older adults within sociocultural contexts.
METHODS
151 OKAs, living in California, were recruited and interviewed once. Self-efficacy and PA level were measured by Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (K-CHAMPS) questionnaire, respectively.
RESULTS
82.8% of OKA women and 72.4% of OKA men had relatively low (38.8+/-29.3) self-efficacy related to PA. Exercise self-efficacy was statistically significant and positively associated with frequency for moderate and greater PA (r = 0.25, p < .01), frequency for all listed PA (r = 0.21, p < .05), caloric expenditure for moderate and greater PA (r = 0.23, p < .01), and caloric expenditure for all listed PA (r = 0.31, p < .01).
CONCLUSION
Social Cognitive Theory including self-efficacy can provide insight about how to shape strategies that encourage OKAs to adhere to regular PA because it focuses on environmental as well as personal factors. Increased efforts are needed to understand the other factors associated with being active in OKAs.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetic patients.
METHOD
Data were collected from November, 2003 to June, 2004 using a physiological index and questionnaires. Patients(N=159) aged 40 and above were conveniently recruited from health care centers in B city. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS WIN 10.0 program.
RESULTS
The cardiovascular risk factors were negatively related with female gender, household monthly income, educational experience about diabetes, physical activity, self-care, self-efficacy and problem oriented coping, while positively related with the duration of diabetes, diabetic family history and depression. Self-care, diabetic family history, female gender, monthly household income, self-efficacy, affective-oriented coping and physical activity predicted 41.5% of the variance in cardiovascular risk factors of diabetic patients.
CONCLUSION
According to the findings of this study, we concluded that cardiovascular risk factors of type 2 diabetic patients are related to the modifiable and non-modifiable variables. Self-care, self-efficacy, affective- oriented coping, and physical activity were identified as modifiable variables. Intervention programs to increase those variables are warranted to reduce cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetic patients.