An overview of the healthy aging program for PinoY (HAPPY) senior citizens research: A cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older Filipinos

Robby Carlo A. Tan; Kyler Kenn M. Castilla; Angely P. Garcia; Kristine D. Macatangay; Shelley Ann F. de la Vega; Michael E. Serafico; Marco Mensink; Lisette de Groot; Robby Carlo A. Tan; Kyler Kenn M. Castilla; Angely P. Garcia; Kristine D. Macatangay; Shelley Ann F. de la Vega; Michael E. Serafico; Marco Mensink; Lisette de Groot

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2025029

AIMS Public Health

2025, Volume 12, Issue 2: 536-556. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025029

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Research article

An overview of the healthy aging program for PinoY (HAPPY) senior citizens research: A cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older Filipinos

1.
Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
2.
Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
3.
Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Received: 18 December 2024 Revised: 05 March 2025 Accepted: 17 April 2025 Published: 09 May 2025

Background
As an effort in aligning with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, this paper reflects the methods and population characteristics from a comprehensive health and nutrition study among older Filipino adults.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults aged ≥60 years (n = 562) across the country. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests were performed by sex and age.
Results
The overall mean age was (69.4 ± 6.3) years. The Body Mass Index was significantly higher among those 60–69 years old compared to those >70. The lifestyle and health information varied in terms of significance between the sex and age groups.
Discussion
This comprehensive study presented the profile of participants and a detailed methodology. Utilizing the data is highly encouraged to develop evidence-based policies relevant to the country driven by the demographic shift.
- aging,
- nutrition,
- health,
- older adults,
- community-dwelling
Citation: Robby Carlo A. Tan, Kyler Kenn M. Castilla, Angely P. Garcia, Kristine D. Macatangay, Shelley Ann F. de la Vega, Michael E. Serafico, Marco Mensink, Lisette de Groot. An overview of the healthy aging program for PinoY (HAPPY) senior citizens research: A cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older Filipinos[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2025, 12(2): 536-556. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025029

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Abstract

Background

As an effort in aligning with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, this paper reflects the methods and population characteristics from a comprehensive health and nutrition study among older Filipino adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults aged ≥60 years (n = 562) across the country. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests were performed by sex and age.

Results

The overall mean age was (69.4 ± 6.3) years. The Body Mass Index was significantly higher among those 60–69 years old compared to those >70. The lifestyle and health information varied in terms of significance between the sex and age groups.

Discussion

This comprehensive study presented the profile of participants and a detailed methodology. Utilizing the data is highly encouraged to develop evidence-based policies relevant to the country driven by the demographic shift.

Abbreviations

ADL

Activities of daily living

ASM

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass

BIA

Bioelectrical impedance analyzer

BMI

Body mass index

CGA

Comprehensive geriatric assessment

DOST-FNRI

Department of science and technology-Food and nutrition research institute

FITforFrail

Focused Interventions for frail older adults research and development project

GPS

Global positioning system

HAPPY

Healthy aging program for pinoy

IADL

Instrumental activities of daily living

IQR

Interquartile range

LSAHP

Longitudinal study of ageing and health in the Philippines

MET

Metabolic equivalent of task

NNS

National nutrition survey

PSA

Philippine statistics authority

SARC-F

Strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, and falls

SLG

Service laboratory group

SPPB

Short physical performance battery

Standard deviation

TUG

Timed up-and-go

UP NIH

University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health

UPLB

University of the Philippines Los Baños

WHO

World Health Organization

WHOQOL-BREF

World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all the data collectors and researchers (Hazel Lat, David Kenneth Mendoza, Magnolia Velasquez, Wendell Lim, Valen Namocatcat, Mark Kim Torres, Ma. Nicole Viri, Chelcey Lim and Princess Española) and geriatricians who took part in this study. We also extend our thanks to the coordinators, staff and participants of the cities and barangays and to the DOST- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development for monitoring the project implementation.

Authors' contribution

RCAT, LDG - Conceptualization, Data Analysis, and Writing. KKMC - Data analysis and Writing. SFDV, APG - Assistance in Conceptualization and Writing. KDM - Assistance in Data analysis and Writing. MES, MM, LDG - Technical Supervision and Critical review of the manuscript. All authors have proofread and agreed in the submitted version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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