J Nutr Health.  2020 Dec;53(6):613-628. 10.4163/jnh.2020.53.6.613.

Study on health anxiety issues, health-promoting behavior, and quality of life of middle-aged women in Jeonbuk area

• Jeon SY
• Chung SS
• Rho JO

• KMID: 2510209
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2020.53.6.613

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of the study was to identify the health anxiety issues of middleaged women, their health-promoting behavior, and quality of life as well as to examine the relationship between these variables.
Methods
The participants were 334 women in Jeonbuk area. Demographic characteristics, the status of health anxiety, health-promoting behavior, and life quality was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a t-test, analysis of variance, Duncan test, and hierarchical regression analysis with SPSS ver. 24.0.
Results
The score for health anxiety was 37.64 points out of a possible score of 60, and the score for health-promoting behavior was 79.18 points out of a possible score of 115. The score for the quality of life was 101.18 points out of a possible score of 150. The health anxiety scores showed significant differences, varying as per body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05), income (p < 0.05), occupation (p < 0.05), disease (p < 0.05), satisfaction with weight (p < 0.05), and interest in weight control (p < 0.05). The health-promoting behavior showed significant differences according to age (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.05), menses (p < 0.05), intake of dietary supplements (p < 0.05), perception of body image (p < 0.05), and satisfaction with weight (p < 0.05). The quality of life showed significant differences according to BMI (p < 0.05), income (p < 0.01), education level (p < 0.05), occupation (p < 0.05), disease (p < 0.05), and satisfaction with weight (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that health-promoting behavior was the most influential variable on the quality of life, followed by disease and health anxiety.
Conclusion
Based on these results, we conclude that it is necessary to consider educational programs on improving the quality of life of middle-aged women according to the health anxiety levels and health-promoting behavior.

Keyword

health; quality of life; women; regression analysis