Profiles of healthy ageing among older adults in China: a latent profile analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: With population ageing and increased life expectancy, healthy ageing has become a key strategy for addressing population ageing. However, previous studies have primarily relied on total scale or domain-specific scores to assess healthy ageing, which may overlook individual differences and within-group heterogeneity. To date, few studies have explored heterogeneous patterns of healthy ageing. This study aims to (a) identify the profile of healthy ageing in Lanzhou City and (b) examine the factors associated with these profiles. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify latent profiles of healthy ageing. The chi-square tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences across these groups. Three healthy ageing classes were identified by LPA: the “low healthy ageing” group (class one), “moderate healthy ageing” group (class two), and “high healthy ageing” group (class three), with the majority of older adults in Lanzhou City classified into class two. Compared with class one, older adults with higher income, physical activity, positive attitudes toward ageing, and greater social support were more likely to belong to classes two and three, whereas poorer self-rated health, more chronic diseases, frailty, and ADL impairment were associated with lower odds of membership in these classes. Living with a spouse increased the likelihood of class three membership, whereas female sex and depressive symptoms decreased this likelihood. Three profiles of healthy ageing were identified, with most older adults exhibiting a moderate level of healthy ageing. Gender, living conditions, monthly income, physical activity, self-rated health status, number of chronic diseases, frailty, ADL, depressive symptoms, attitudes toward ageing, and social support were significantly associated with latent profiles of healthy ageing. The findings enhance the understanding of heterogeneity in healthy ageing and may help inform the development of targeted interventions to promote healthy ageing. Not applicable
Source: BMC Geriatrics
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7225831628
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