The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66731

Mary L. Greaney, PhD¹, Faith D. Lees, MS¹, and Phillip G. Clark, ScD². (1) The SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, 2 Chafee Road, Kingston, RI 02881, 401-874-7546, mgreaney@etal.uri.edu, (2) Program in Gerontology, University of Rhode Island, White Hall G-15, Kingston, RI 02881

Limited research exists that compares older adult smokers with those who are nonsmokers in terms of their stage of change for exercise and fruit and vegetable consumption. The SENIOR Project is a community-based intervention study is designed to increase exercise behavior and fruit & vegetable consumption among older adults. The intervention is based upon the Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change. Although most of the study participants are nonsmokers (n = 1123), 85 participants are current smokers. A comparison of demographic characteristics of smokers and nonsmokers revealed significant differences in age [73.5 and 75.5 respectively; p = .009] and marital status (x2 = 32.7, df = 6, p < .001). There was no significant difference in smoking status by gender, perceived health status, or race/ethnicity (Caucasian/ Hispanic & Portuguese, Other). In an effort to ascertain how smoking status is associated with stage of change for exercise and physical activity among older adults, logistic regression models were run. The outcome measures, the stage of change variables were dichotomized (preaction/action & maintenance). Non-smokers were twice as likely (OR = 2.02; p = .002) to be in action or maintenance for fruit and vegetable consumption than were smokers. Smokers had a lower self-efficacy in respect to fruit and vegetable consumption than nonsmokers (p = .019). Although non-smokers were more likely than smokers to be in action or maintenance for exercise than non-smokers, smoking status was not a significant predictor (p = .85) of stage of change for exercise.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session, participant will be able to:
• 1. Identify demographic differences and similarities of older smokers and non-smokers.
• 2. Discuss the association between smoking status and stage of change for exercise and fruit & vegetable consumption

Keywords: Smoking, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.