Food Insecurity, Physical Activity, and Psychological Factors as Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Older Adults.

Background

Life satisfaction is a key component of subjective well-being in later life and may be associated with psychological, economic, family, functional, and food-related factors.

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors associated with life satisfaction among older adults, considering sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity, physical activity, and psychological factors.

Methods

A quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 noninstitutionalized older adults from Sogamoso, Colombia. Self-report instruments assessed life satisfaction, food insecurity, physical activity, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparison tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression.

Results

Higher perceived stress (B = -0.762, p < 0.001), perceived insufficient income (B = -3.380, p < 0.001), self-employment (B = -2.153, p = 0.009), other sources of income (B = -2.569, p = 0.017), and technical education (B = -4.744, p = 0.003) were associated with lower life satisfaction. Conversely, combined engagement in strength and flexibility exercises (B = 3.203, p < 0.001), having two children (B = 3.498, p = 0.002), and having three or more children (B = 2.618, p = 0.008) were associated with higher life satisfaction. Primary education was not significantly associated with life satisfaction after adjustment (p = 0.093). Food insecurity was associated with life satisfaction in the bivariate analysis but did not remain statistically significant in the adjusted model. The regression model explained 48.7% of the variance in life satisfaction (R2 = 0.487; adjusted R2 = 0.457).

Conclusions

Life satisfaction among older adults was associated with psychological, economic, family, and functional factors. The findings highlight the relevance of perceived stress, economic security, functional physical activity, and family resources when addressing subjective well-being in later life.