| خلاصه مقاله | Background and aim: As the global population ages, the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors in
older adults becomes increasingly evident for promoting active and successful aging. In Iran, where
the aging population is growing, understanding the factors that influence a healthy lifestyle among
older adults is crucial. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing a healthy lifestyle among
older Iranian adults.
Material and methods: Content analysis was utilized as the study approach. 29 in-depth individual
semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with open-ended questions were
conducted between October 2020 and April 2021. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were
used to select participants from community dwellings of Iranian older adults and experts from
various health system levels. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.
Results: Factors affecting a healthy lifestyle were categorized into five themes: individual factors,
cultural and religious factors, social factors, economic factors, and policy factors, with a total of 17
subthemes identified. The results underscored the importance of considering all dimensions of
older adults' lifestyles holistically. Enhancing healthy lifestyles was found to be more impactful than
targeting multiple risk factors with costly strategies.
Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing a
healthy lifestyle among older Iranian adults. This study contributes valuable insights that can guide
future interventions and policies aimed at improving the overall health and quality of life of older
adults in the Iranian context. |