Effect of healthy lifestyle educational programs on happiness and life satisfaction in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial study

Abstract

Objectives Like the global population, the Iranian population is aging rapidly. Measures should be taken to maintain aging population healthy and happy. The present study evaluated the effects of active education of healthy lifestyle on happiness and life satisfaction of the elderly people. Methods & Materials In this randomized controlled trial, 96 elderly people aged 60-70 were conveniently recruited from a health center in Isfahan Province, Iran. The subjects were randomly allocated to an intervention and a control group. Participants in the intervention group were provided with lifestyle educations in 4 two-hour sessions. Happiness and life satisfaction were assessed before and 2 months after the intervention. Study data were analyzed by SPSS using the Independent samples t-test and Paired t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Chi-squared test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results The lifestyle education program significantly improved happiness scores from 36.80 to 43.11 and life satisfaction scores from 12.96 to 16.02 (P < 0.001). Happiness was positively correlated with life satisfaction (r=0.719; P < 0.001). Conclusion Active participation in healthy lifestyle education programs can improve happiness and life satisfaction among elderly people.