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1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt

Abstract Background The global population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050, one in six people will be over the age of 65. In Egypt, the aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow significantly, posing a growing public health concern. Unhealt...

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Main Author: Shaltout, Fayrouz
Format: Thesis
Published: AUC Knowledge Fountain 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author Shaltout, Fayrouz
author_browse Shaltout, Fayrouz
author_facet Shaltout, Fayrouz
author_sort Shaltout, Fayrouz
collection Thesis
description Abstract Background The global population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050, one in six people will be over the age of 65. In Egypt, the aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow significantly, posing a growing public health concern. Unhealthful diets (that are associated with overweight and obesity), are one of the main reasons associated with non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) are major risk factors for poor aging outcomes. Despite this, there is limited research on the specific determinants of successful aging (SA) in Egypt, especially among individuals aged 50 to 70. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the role of diet, lifestyle, and social relations on successful aging, and identify key SA predictors in Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used with 303 participants aged 50 to 70 years in Egypt. Data was collected on demographic, socio-economic, and health-related factors, including marital status, education, occupational status, housing conditions, chronic diseases, physical activity, and dietary habits. A research framework was developed based on data from the literature review, and was used to create the research design, in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. SA was measured using the Successful Aging Score (SAS). Statistical analyses, including multi-regression models, were performed to identify significant predictors of SA and their relationships. Results Provide comprehensive insights into the demographic, socio-economic, and health-related characteristics, highlighting how these factors significantly influence health outcomes. Key factors influencing health outcomes included marital status, occupational status, illness days, educational attainment, and other socio-economic factors. The SAS scores showed an inverse relationship with health, indicating that lower SAS scores reflected better health outcomes. Multi-regression analysis identified 7 significant predictors of SA — city of birth, marital status, education, occupation, housing condition, chronic diseases, and dietary habits; healthier dietary patterns were linked to improved aging outcomes. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine these three determinants of successful aging in Egypt, focusing on diet, lifestyle, and social relations. 7 key predictors of SA were identified as interrelated factors contributing to better aging outcomes. These findings emphasize that successful aging is shaped by socio-economic, lifestyle, and possibly other factors, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to enhance the health and well-being of older adults in Egypt. Keywords Successful Aging, Egypt, diet, lifestyle, social relations.
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license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress
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spelling oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3525 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt Shaltout, Fayrouz Abstract Background The global population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050, one in six people will be over the age of 65. In Egypt, the aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow significantly, posing a growing public health concern. Unhealthful diets (that are associated with overweight and obesity), are one of the main reasons associated with non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) are major risk factors for poor aging outcomes. Despite this, there is limited research on the specific determinants of successful aging (SA) in Egypt, especially among individuals aged 50 to 70. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the role of diet, lifestyle, and social relations on successful aging, and identify key SA predictors in Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used with 303 participants aged 50 to 70 years in Egypt. Data was collected on demographic, socio-economic, and health-related factors, including marital status, education, occupational status, housing conditions, chronic diseases, physical activity, and dietary habits. A research framework was developed based on data from the literature review, and was used to create the research design, in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. SA was measured using the Successful Aging Score (SAS). Statistical analyses, including multi-regression models, were performed to identify significant predictors of SA and their relationships. Results Provide comprehensive insights into the demographic, socio-economic, and health-related characteristics, highlighting how these factors significantly influence health outcomes. Key factors influencing health outcomes included marital status, occupational status, illness days, educational attainment, and other socio-economic factors. The SAS scores showed an inverse relationship with health, indicating that lower SAS scores reflected better health outcomes. Multi-regression analysis identified 7 significant predictors of SA — city of birth, marital status, education, occupation, housing condition, chronic diseases, and dietary habits; healthier dietary patterns were linked to improved aging outcomes. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine these three determinants of successful aging in Egypt, focusing on diet, lifestyle, and social relations. 7 key predictors of SA were identified as interrelated factors contributing to better aging outcomes. These findings emphasize that successful aging is shaped by socio-economic, lifestyle, and possibly other factors, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to enhance the health and well-being of older adults in Egypt. Keywords Successful Aging, Egypt, diet, lifestyle, social relations. 2025-02-19T08:00:00Z thesis application/pdf https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2479 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3525/viewcontent/Fayrouz_SalahEldin_Shaltout_Thesis.pdf Theses and Dissertations AUC Knowledge Fountain Successful Aging Egypt diet lifestyle social relations. Other Public Health Public Health Public Health Education and Promotion
spellingShingle Successful Aging
Egypt
diet
lifestyle
social relations.
Other Public Health
Public Health
Public Health Education and Promotion
Shaltout, Fayrouz
1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title_full 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title_fullStr 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title_full_unstemmed 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title_short 1 Studying the Determinants of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, and Social Relations in Egypt
title_sort 1 studying the determinants of successful aging diet lifestyle and social relations in egypt
topic Successful Aging
Egypt
diet
lifestyle
social relations.
Other Public Health
Public Health
Public Health Education and Promotion
url https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2479
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3525/viewcontent/Fayrouz_SalahEldin_Shaltout_Thesis.pdf
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