Nutrition knowledge, aerobic endurance, and quality of life among independently living older adults in Poland

<ns3:p>Background: A balanced diet that reflects an individual’s age and personal needs is fundamental to maintaining good health and overall well-being. In addition, regular physical activity contributes to improved fitness, endurance, and quality of life in older adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge regarding healthy eating, aerobic endurance, and perceived quality of life among individuals aged 60 and above living independently in their own homes.Materials and methods: The study involved 60 participants from the Opole region, aged between 60 and 85 years (mean age: 69.73 5.49 years). Data were collected using a nutrition and dietary habits questionnaire, a 2-minute walk test, and the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire.Results: Aerobic endurance was generally good, with women averaging 83.27 20.14 steps and men 79.45 18.70 steps in the 2-minute walk test. The mean overall quality of life score was 3.72 0.64, and the self-rated health score was 3.10 0.97 on a 5-point scale.Conclusions: Women demonstrated greater knowledge of healthy eating, consumed more fruits and vegetables, and were more likely to limit fried foods and meat. The relatively low nutritional awareness among men and the prevalence of poor dietary habits among seniors are causes for concern. Physical activity plays a key role in healthy aging, with women showing better endurance levels and lower BMI values. Both men and women assessed their quality of life and health similarly, although men scored slightly higher in the psychological and environmental domains.</ns3:p>