Differences on mental and physical-functional health variables between men and women of the first referential day center of the older adult of Chile

Abstract

Introduction: The aging process affects men and women
differently, since there are biological, genetic and physiological factors that differentiate them.
Objective: To determine differences in memory, phonetic
fluency, temporo-spatial orientation, perception of quality of
life and physical fitness between men and women attending
the first referential day center of the older adults of Chile.
Methods: Non-experimental, descriptive-comparative
study with quantitative approach and cross-sectional cut that
evaluated 30 older adults (n = 15 men: age 76.5 years, body
weight 72.6 kg, bipedal height 1.63 m and BMI 27.0 kg/m2;
and n = 15 women: age 76.2 years, body weight 72.1 kg,
bipedal height 1.52 m and BMI 31.1 kg/m2). The dependent
variables were obtained through the survey of memory, phonetic fluency and temporo-spatial orientation (MEFO); the
health-related perception of quality of life SF-36v.2; the
Senior Fitness Test (physical fitness) and grip strength.
Comparisons were made through the Student t-test and Mann
Whitney U test considering a p <0.05.
Results: Statistically significant differences (p = 0.018)
can be seen between men and women only in the total MEFO
score, with women having the greatest cognitive impairment.
No significant differences were reported in the rest of the
variables studied.
Conclusions: Women who attend the first referential day
center of the older adults of Chile have greater cognitive impairment compared to men. While the perception of quality of
life and physical fitness of men and women is lower than that
indicated for their age and sex.