Physical activity and Baltic Sea diet are interactively related to higher life satisfaction in community-living older Finnish women: OSTPRE-FPS study

A healthful diet and sufficient physical activity (PA) are related to several health outcomes. However, there is a paucity of data on the association of PA and dietary pattern with life satisfaction (LS) in the older adults aged >= 65. The present study investigated the independent and combined association of PA and Baltic Sea diet (BSD) score with LS in older Finnish women. Subjects were 554 women aged 65-72 years from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention - Fracture Prevention Study. Women reported the hours and type of PA and lifestyle factors via questionnaires and dietary intake using the 3-d food record. Adequate PA was considered according to WHO recommendation: PA = 0, 0 < PA < 2 center dot 5 and >= 2 center dot 5 h/week. BSD score was categorised as <13 or >= 13 based on the median score. LS was self-reported using LS scale with four items on current 'interest', 'happiness in life', 'ease of living' and 'feelings of loneliness' (range: 4-20, lower score representing higher satisfaction). After adjusting for the confounders, PA was statistically significantly associated with lower LS score (beta coefficient = -0 center dot 207, P = 0 center dot 001), where women with PA >= 2 center dot 5 h/week had the lowest LS score followed by women with 0 < PA < 2 center dot 5 and PA = 0 (P-for trend = 0 center dot 020). Association between BSD and LS was NS. Only among women with BSD score >= 13, but not BSD < 13, PA >= 2 center dot 5 h/week was statistically significantly associated with lower LS score (mean = 9 center dot 3), followed by 0 < PA < 2 center dot 5 (mean = 9 center dot 9) and PA = 0 groups (mean = 11 center dot 8) (P-for trend = 0 center dot 033). In conclusion, adequate PA according to WHO recommendation independently and in combination with higher BSD score may be associated with higher LS in older women.