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Walking Habits in Elderly WidowsDepartment of Geriatrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden, agneta.grimby{at}telia.com
Department of Geriatrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
Institute of Community Medicine Goteborg University
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology-Rehabilitation Medicine Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden Walking habits were studied in 3 groups of elderly widows. The average walking time per week was calculated from interviews or questionnaires. There was in a small studied group a tendency for walking time to be lower at 3 and 12 months after loss than at 4 or 5 years. An increased odds ratio was demonstrated in larger groups of widows for walking less than 120 minutes per week in those who "did not feel healthy," or who had "musculoskeletal health problems," or "cardiovascular health problems." Widows from a population-based study also showed increased odds ratio for not walking as long with "lack of friends" and "not being active in associations." This was not found in married women from the population study. Our results indicate that newly bereaved women may reduce their physical activity, and that the change in exercise habits may be associated with reduced perception of being healthy and a decreased social network.
Key Words: widowhood • physical activity: elderly: walking habits • social network
This version was published on May
1, 2008 American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Vol. 25, No. 2,
81-87 (2008) This article has been cited by other articles:
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