Exploring the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and psychological well-being in sedentary older men

Abstract

Sedentary lifestyles negatively affect the physical and mental health of older adults, increasing their risk for cardiometabolic disorders and psychological distress. In Kashmir, a region of the Indian subcontinent, socio-political tensions and geographic isolation further exacerbate these risks. This study examines the relationship between cardiometabolic indicators (e.g., body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), resting heart rate (RHR), basal metabolic rate (BMR)) and psychological well-being (measured by perceived stress and life satisfaction) in 160 sedentary men aged 60-70 years. Anthropometric and physiological data were collected using standard protocols, and psychological well-being was assessed using the perceived stress scale (PSS) and life satisfaction scale (LSS). Pearson correlations revealed positive associations between cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g., BMI, BFP, SBP, WHtR) and perceived stress, and negative correlations with life satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis showed that while the model for perceived stress was significant (p = .005), individual predictors were not (p > .05). For life satisfaction, the model was significant (p = .000), with WHtR identified as a significant negative predictor (p = .024), while individual predictors were not significant (p > .05). These findings suggest that cardiometabolic risks are linked to increased stress and lower life satisfaction in sedentary older men in Kashmir, highlighting the need for interventions promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles.