[Barriers to health behaviors in male and female elderly people in Korea].

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the practice level of 14 health behaviors between male (N=139) and female (N=175) elderly and to identify the barriers to each health behavior of elderly people in Korea.

METHODS: Data were collected from 314 elderly people (65 yr and older) living in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas. Descriptive statistics, chi(2)-test and ordinal logistic regression were used in data analysis using the SPSS Win 15 version.

RESULTS: 1) The performances were different in some health behaviors between male and female elderly people. Male elderly showed better performances in balanced diet, regular exercise, and more than 30 min of exercise, while female elderly showed better performances in restriction of fat and cholesterol, restriction on alcohol, and smoking. There were no differences in stress management and health prevention behaviors between the two groups. 2) The common significant barriers in health behaviors of the elderly in Korea were the lack of habit and physical discomfort. However, the lack of perceived benefit was a significant barrier in male elderly. Lack of time and lack of family support were significant barriers in female elderly people in Korea.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that tailored strategies should be developed considering the gender difference to reduce the main barriers of each health behavior in order to improve the health status of elderly people.