Healthy aging in a cross-sectional study of Australian men: what has sex got to do with it?

Aim: To identify lifestyle factors associated with healthy aging in middle-aged and older Australian men. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based, computer-assisted telephone interview study explored self-reported health outcomes, and associated determinants for general and reproductive health (the Men in Australia Telephone Survey) in men aged 40 years and older (n=5990). Good health was defined by self-reported health (excellent/very good) combined with absence of self-reported high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression symptoms. Categories of sexual activity frequency in the previous four weeks ranged from zero to 12+ times. Results: Good health declined with increasing age with 17 of men over 70 years reporting good health . In multivariable logistic regression models, significant inverse associations were found between modifiable lifestyle factors-both underweight and overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and high alcohol consumption-and good health . Low-risk alcohol intake and living with a partner were positively associated with good health . Sexual activity was also positively associated with good health (p