ABSTRACT
Background The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of the lifestyle (physical activity, activity participation, and nutrition) of middle-aged and elderly people on health, depression, and quality of life, and to identify changes before and after COVID-19. In addition, it is intended to establish a structural equation model to confirm the influence coefficients for each path. Method Among those aged 55 and older, the study measured lifestyle, subjective health, depression, and quality of life for a total of 327 people. We used SPSS 25 for general characteristics of subjects, descriptive statistical analysis of variables, and AMOS 20 for validation of variables, affirmative factor analysis, and effectiveness analysis on paths. Result In the case of physical activity, there were significant differences between the two groups in moderate exercise (p<0.001) and walking (p<0.01) before and after COVID-19. The results of participation in activities showed significant differences between leisure activities, social activities and education before and after COVID-19 (p<0.001). For eating habits, significant differences were found in the two observations: carbohydrate (p<0.05) and protein (p<0.05). Comparing the overall mean, there were significant differences between health (p<0.05), depression (p<0.001), and quality of life (p<0.001) before and after COVID-19. The final model was built through normality test and confirmatory factor analysis, and the fit of the final study model was x²=3.306, GFI=0.902, RMR=0.049, RMSEA=0.059, IFI=0.928, TLI=0.917, CFI=0.928, which was appropriate compared to each criterion, showed significance for each path. Conclusion Through this research, it was confirmed that lifestyle affects health, depression, and quality of life for middle-aged elderly people, which is in the same context as prevention-oriented policies currently in place worldwide. In addition, the results of this study show the importance of a healthy lifestyle, suggesting that lifestyle education for middle and high-aged people and customized lifestyle interventions for individual lives are needed. Comparisons between the two periods before and after COVID-19 show that the social isolation caused by COVID-19 has a negative impact on each factor. Through these results, health care is essential for middle-aged and elderly people, and measures should be taken to resolve restrictions on participation in activities caused by social isolation.
ABSTRACT
Background The purpose of this study is to identify differences in effectiveness between the two periods before and after COVID-19 by using a multiple group analysis to determine the effect of the lifestyle(physical activity, activity participation, and nutrition) of the middle and older people on subjective health, depression and quality of life. Method Among those aged 55 and older, the study measured lifestyle, subjective health, depression, and quality of life for a total of 327 people. We used SPSS 25 for general characteristics of subjects, descriptive statistical analysis of variables, and AMOS 20 for validation of variables, affirmative factor analysis, and effectiveness analysis on paths. Result Multiple group analysis shows that the path of health?depression was significant at 99% confidence before COVID-19 and between activity participation?quality of life at 90% confidence. Conclusion Comparison of final research models from two periods before and after COVID-19 shows that social isolation resulting from COVID-19 negatively affects depression and quality of life. These results suggest that health care is essential for middle-aged and elderly people, and that measures should be taken to address the restrictions on participation in activities caused by social isolation.