Satisfaction with Life and Nutritional Behaviour, Body Composition, and Functional Fitness of Women from the Kraków Population Participating in the "Healthy Active Senior" Programme

Maria Gacek; Agnieszka Wojtowicz; Grażyna Kosiba; Magdalena Majer; Joanna Gradek; Agnieszka Koteja; Olga Czerwińska-Ledwig

doi:10.3390/ijerph20031877

Satisfaction with Life and Nutritional Behaviour, Body Composition, and Functional Fitness of Women from the Kraków Population Participating in the "Healthy Active Senior" Programme

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 19;20(3):1877. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031877.

Authors

Maria Gacek¹, Agnieszka Wojtowicz², Grażyna Kosiba², Magdalena Majer², Joanna Gradek³, Agnieszka Koteja³, Olga Czerwińska-Ledwig⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland.
² Institute of Social Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland.
³ Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland.
⁴ Institute of Basic Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland.

Abstract

Pro-health behaviours are related to a person's personal resources. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between satisfaction with life (SWL), nutritional behaviours, somatic indices, and functional efficiency of senior women. The research was conducted among 120 women aged 60-84 (Me = 65) participating in the "Healthy Active Senior" project at the University of Physical Education in Kraków. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the proprietary validated questionnaire of nutritional behaviour were used. Body composition was assessed using the method of bioelectrical impedance (TANITA SC-330ST analyser), while physical fitness was evaluated via the Senior Fitness test (Fullerton Functional Fitness Test). Correlations between the variables were measured by implementing Spearman's R signed-rank correlation coefficients (with p < 0.05). Positive correlations between SWL and selected nutrition behaviours have been demonstrated, including eating 5-6 meals (p < 0.001) and drinking at least 2 litres of fluids a day (p = 0.023), consuming cereal products daily, including whole-grains (p = 0.001), avoiding alcoholic beverages (p = 0.030), and applying vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.010). At the same time, negative correlations between SWL and limiting the consumption of red as well as processed meats (p = 0.002), animal fats (p = 0.046), and the preference for vegetable oils in one's diet (p = 0.023) were shown. Significant correlations between satisfaction with life and two indicators of functional fitness were also confirmed: negative-with the variable '2.44-m Get-Up and Go' (p = 0.003); and positive-with the '2-Minute Step in Place' test (p = 0.034). The relationships between SWL and somatic indices did not reach the level of statistical significance. Among the women participating in the "Healthy Active Senior" programme, correlations between SWL and rational nutritional behaviours, as well as indices of functional fitness, were found (mostly positive), while the trends in these areas were not fully unambiguous, suggesting the validity of conducting further research.

Keywords: functional fitness; nutritional behaviours; satisfaction with life; senior women; somatic indices.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Body Composition
Diet
Health Behavior*
Nutritional Status*
Personal Satisfaction
Physical Fitness

Grants and funding

This publication was financed within the framework of the programme of the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the name “Regional Initiative of Excellence” in 2019–2022, project number 022/RID/2018/19, in the amount of PLN 11,919,908.