Table 1.
Distribution of demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic characteristics among older men and women (n = 1,268), Tainan, Taiwan, 2022.
| Total | Men | Women | P valuea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
| Total respondent | 1268 | 617 | 651 | |
| Demographic characteristics | ||||
| Age | ||||
| 60–69 years | 495 (39.07) | 249 (40.42) | 246 (37.79) | 0.19 |
| 70–79 years | 552 (43.57) | 252 (40.91) | 300 (46.08) | |
| ≥80 years | 220 (17.36) | 115 (18.67) | 105 (16.13) | |
| Current marital status | ||||
| Married | 908 (71.61) | 517 (83.79) | 391 (60.06) | <0.001 |
| Others (widowed/divorced/never married) | 360 (28.39) | 100 (16.21) | 260 (39.94) | |
| Live alone | ||||
| Yes | 147 (11.59) | 59 (9.56) | 88 (13.52) | 0.054 |
| No | 1120 (88.33) | 557 (90.28) | 563 (86.48) | |
| Religion | ||||
| No religion | 162 (12.78) | 90 (14.59) | 72 (11.06) | 0.001 |
| Buddhist | 449 (35.41) | 188 (30.47) | 261 (40.09) | |
| Taoism | 464 (36.59) | 249 (40.36) | 215 (33.03) | |
| Others | 193 (15.22) | 90 (14.59) | 103 (15.82) | |
| Lifestyle | ||||
| Cigarette smoking (≥1 pack per month)b | ||||
| Current or former | 259 (20.42) | 254 (41.17) | 5 (0.76) | <0.001 |
| Never | 1009 (79.57) | 363 (58.83) | 646 (99.23) | |
| Alcohol consumption (≥once per week)b | ||||
| Current or former | 134 (10.57) | 127 (20.59) | 7 (1.07) | <0.001 |
| Never | 1134 (89.43) | 490 (79.42) | 644 (98.92) | |
| Betel nut chewing (≥once per week)b | ||||
| Current or former | 83 (6.55) | 82 (13.29) | 1 (0.15) | <0.001 |
| Never | 1185 (93.45) | 535 (86.71) | 650 (99.85) | |
| Exercise (any intensity) | ||||
| Any frequency | 985 (77.68) | 476 (77.15) | 509 (78.19) | 0.66 |
| No exercise | 283 (22.32) | 141 (22.85) | 142 (21.81) | |
| Vigorous exercise per weekc | ||||
| ≥1 day | 246 (19.40) | 124 (20.10) | 122 (18.74) | 0.54 |
| <1 day | 1022 (80.60) | 493 (79.90) | 529 (81.26) | |
| Socioeconomic factors | ||||
| Educational attainment | ||||
| Uneducated | 95 (7.54) | 13 (2.12) | 82 (12.65) | <0.001 |
| Primary School | 417 (33.10) | 167 (27.29) | 250 (38.58) | |
| Junior School | 188 (14.92) | 92 (15.03) | 96 (14.81) | |
| Senior high school or above | 560 (44.44) | 340 (55.56) | 220 (33.95) | |
| Currently workingd | ||||
| Yes | 283 (22.32) | 165 (26.74) | 118 (18.13) | 0.001 |
| No | 985 (77.68) | 452 (73.26) | 533 (81.87) | |
| Financial independencee | ||||
| Yes | 772 (60.88) | 425 (68.88) | 347 (53.30) | <0.001 |
| No | 496 (39.12) | 192 (31.12) | 304 (46.70) | |
| Intrinsic capacity level | ||||
| 0 (no impairment) | 832 (65.62) | 428 (69.37) | 404 (62.06) | 0.006 |
| >0 (impairment) | 436 (34.38) | 189 (30.63) | 247 (37.94) | |
| Mean (SD) | 0.54 (0.89) | 0.47 (0.85) | 0.60 (0.93) | 0.003 |
| Median (Q1, Q3) | 0 (0,1) | 0 (0,1) | 0 (0,1) | |
Abbreviations: Q1, the first quartile; Q3, the third quartile; SD, standard deviation.
The chi-square test was used to compare differences between men and women, except for the mean levels of intrinsic capacity, which were analyzed using an independent t-test.
Considered only if sustained for at least six months, according to the provided definitions (e.g., ≥1 pack per month, ≥once per week).
Defined as physical activity that lasted at least 30 min and caused sweating, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate.
Defined as engaging in paid employment or self-employment, including part-time jobs.
Yes indicates currently self-supporting; no indicates receiving financial support from others, such as family, government, or friends.