HEALTHPROMOTINGBEHAVIORSOFOLDERAMERICANS VERSUSYOUNGANDMIDDLE AGEDADULTS

Health promoting behaviors have become increasing ly important as Americansattempt to retain their youth and health. This study collected self-reporte d datafrom 559 participan ts in the Southwes t United States using the Health PromotingLifestyle ProÞle II to compare the health promoting behaviors of older adults (60Ð92 years), middle-age d adults (40Ð59 years), and younger adults (18Ð39 years).Results indicate that older adults engage in more nutrition and health responsi-bility behaviors and score highest in the broad range of health promoting beha-viors assessed. Results suggest that gerontolo gists may beneÞt programmati callyfrom identifying factors associated with those older adults who more frequentlyengage in health behaviors.