Life satisfaction and other determinants of eating behaviours among women aged 40-65 years with type 2 diabetes from the Krakow population

Level of body mass index, functional fitness, quality of life, and satisfaction with life among women aged 60+ years participating in an organised pro-health training programme

Introduction

The aim of the study is to assess changes in body mass index (BMI), functional fitness, satisfaction with and quality of life among women 60+ years after participating in a 9-month organised health training programme.

Material and methods

Research on a group of 74 women aged 60-83 years (M = 67.8; SD = 5.1) was conducted twice, at the beginning and after 9 months of the health training programme (90 minutes, twice a week). The following tools were used in the research: SECA model 764 device, Fullerton functional fitness test, the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, and the satisfaction with life scale. Calculations were performed using the Statistica 13.1 program, via Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients as well as Student's t-test for dependent measurements and the Wilcoxon paired test. Interactive repeated measures analysis of variance was also used. The assumed level of significance was α = 0.05.

Results

Comparing the results before and after implementing the health training programme, it was found that the average BMI value decreased (p < 0.001), while the functional fitness indicators, including the tests: 30-second chair stand (p < 0.001), 30-second arm curl (p < 0.001), back scratch (p = 0.001) and two-minute step-in-place (p = 0.002), increased. Between the first and second measurement, differences in quality of life profiles were also demonstrated, with 3 aspects of quality of life intensifying (somatic, psychological, and environmental), the psychological aspect increasing the most.

Conclusions

The obtained results confirmed the positive impact of the 9-month health training programme on the BMI, functional fitness, and quality of life of women above the age of 60 years.

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

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.

Life satisfaction and emotional distress in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The mediating effect of cognitive function

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationships among emotional distress, cognitive function and life satisfaction in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to verify the mediating role of cognitive function.

BACKGROUND

People with T2DM face cognitive decline caused by age and disease complications. Emotional distress will reduce their life satisfaction, and cognitive function will also affect the life satisfaction, but whether cognitive function mediates the effect of emotional distress on life satisfaction has not been verified.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 200 people living with T2DM in the community by convenience sampling were enrolled from November-December 2018. Data collection involved a demographic and disease characteristic questionnaire, Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale, Subjective and Objective Cognitive Function Evaluation and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. This report followed the STROBE guideline.

RESULTS

The emotional distress and subjective memory complaints of cognitive function had a significant positive correlation, while both emotional distress and cognitive function showed significant negative correlations with life satisfaction. In addition, cognitive function completely mediated the relationship between emotional distress and life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The cognitive function played a mediating role in life satisfaction and explains how emotional distress affects life satisfaction of people with T2DM. Therefore, it is suggested that diabetes nurses should early identify the decline of cognitive function, and to intervene at an early stage.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study provides opinions on the mediating factors of cognitive function. Coping strategies and supporting resources to help the T2DM people to improve their life satisfaction are suggested.