Volume 21, Issue 2 (Summer 2026)                   Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026, 21(2): 304-317 | Back to browse issues page


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Hakim M, Zahmatkeshan N, Malekzadeh M. Lifestyle of Older Adults in Yasuj, Iran, and the Associated Factors. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026; 21 (2) :304-317
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3125-en.html
1- Department of Medical, Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
2- Department of Nursing Education, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran. , nasrin.zahmatkeshan@Yums.ac.ir
3- Department of Health Psychology, Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
Keywords: Elderly, Lifestyle, Health, Iran
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Introduction
Significant progress in medical science and living conditions has increased life expectancy, leading to a growing older population. It is estimated that by 2050, 21-25% of Iran’s population will be aged 60 and over. Among the important issues in prevention and moving towards successful aging is adopting a healthy lifestyle during this period. Studies on the lifestyles of older adults in Iran have indicated their poor lifestyle. Despite numerous studies on these people in Iran, there is little research on the specific conditions of older adults in Yasuj city, Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province, and on the cultural, social, and economic characteristics of this region. Therefore, to provide a more comprehensive picture, the present study aimed to investigate the lifestyle and identify certain demographic factors related to it among older adults in Yasuj.

Materials and Methods
This is a descriptive, analytical study with a cross-sectional design conducted on 425 older people in Yasuj city in 2025. A multi-stage cluster random sampling with proportional allocation was employed. For this purpose, among the 14 bases covered by the health centers in Yasuj city, 9 bases that covered different geographical areas of the city were selected as clusters by simple random sampling. Then, for each base, a sample size of 425 was calculated, and samples were selected from each base using simple random sampling using a random number table. The inclusion criteria were age over 60 years, willingness to participate in the study, absence of psychological disorders as self-reported, and ability to perform daily activities. The exclusion criteria were incomplete information and failure to respond to more than 20% of the questionnaire items. The data collection tool included a demographic form (surveying age, gender, marital status, occupation, etc.) and a standard questionnaire for measuring healthy lifestyle in the elderly, developed and psychometrically tested by Ishaghi et al. [29] in Iran. This questionnaire has 46 items and five domains: prevention, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and relationships. After calculating the total score, a score of 76-100 indicates a desirable lifestyle; 51-75 indicates a moderate lifestyle, and a score less than 50 indicates an undesirable lifestyle. 

Results
The mean age of the participants was 66.95±5.52. Most of them were male (52.2%), married (79.8%), and retired (33.4%), with a monthly income of 11-15 million Tomans. Also, 63% of the samples had a history of at least one chronic disease, the most common of which was hypertension (50.6%). The mean total lifestyle score was 61.83±15.39, indicating a moderate lifestyle. Among the different lifestyle domains, the prevention domain had the highest score (73.02±15.73), while the exercise domain had the lowest score (44.83±22.14). There was a significant difference between men and women in total lifestyle score (P<0.01) and in the domains of nutrition, exercise, stress management, and relationships (P<0.01); the difference was not significant in terms of ​​prevention (P>0.05). 
Pearson’s correlation test results indicated a statistically significant negative relationship between age and the mean total score and subscale scores of lifestyle (P<0.05). Also, the results of analysis of variance presented in Table 1 indicated statistically significant differences in the mean total score and subscale scores of lifestyle based on marital status, occupation, source of income, and monthly income, and housing status (P<0.05); married, employed or retired people, those receiving a pension and having a high monthly income, and those with a personal house had a better lifestyle. Regarding income, the results showed no statistically significant difference in the mean score of the prevention domain (P>0.05). Regarding the history of underlying disease, statistically significant differences were found in the mean scores of overall lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and stress management domains, but not in the prevention and relationships domains (Table 1).


In the multivariate linear regression model, the variables of age, gender, marital status, occupation, monthly income, housing status, and history of underlying disease were entered. The results showed that monthly income was the strongest predictor of lifestyle, such that as income decreased, the lifestyle score decreased significantly. Age and housing status also had a significant negative effect on lifestyle; inadequate housing conditions were associated with a poorer lifestyle. Together, these three variables explained 24.1% of the variance in lifestyle (R²=0.241).

Conclusion
The lifestyle of the elderly in Yasuj is at a moderate level. Regarding the lifestyle domains, the prevention domain, they had the highest score while their exercise score was the lowest score. This pattern (high prevention and low activity) can indicate a passive lifestyle in which the elderly, despite paying attention to their health, remain inactive and adopt a more preventive approach. The predictors of the elderly’s lifestyle were monthly income, age, and housing status. 

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines

This research was approved by the  Research Ethics Committee of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences  (Code: IR.YUMS.REC.1403.161).

Funding
This article was extracted from a doctoral thesis in professional medicine funded by Yasuj University of Medical Sciences.

Authors' contributions
Conceptualization: All authors; investigation: Nasrin Zahmatkeshan and Mojtaba Hakim; editing & review: Nasrin Zahmatkeshan and Mohammad Malekzadeh

Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all the seniors who participated in the study, as well as the managers and staff of health centers in Yasuj for their 


 
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: gerontology
Received: 2025/07/13 | Accepted: 2025/12/08 | Published: 2026/07/01

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