UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY AGEING THROUGH LIFESTYLE
BEHAVIOURS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS IN EDO STATE,
NIGERIA

Adeyemi, T. O; Obomeghie, M. A

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.009

Title: UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY AGEING THROUGH LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Adeyemi, T. O and Obomeghie, M. A
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 11 Issue: 8 Publication Date: August 2026 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.009
\|\| \|\|
Adeyemi, T. O1 and Obomeghie, M. A2 1,2. Department of Statistics, Auchi Polytechnic Auchi, Nigeria
MLA 8 T.O, Adeyemi, and Obomeghie M.A. "UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY AGEING THROUGH LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 8, Aug. 2026, pp. 3746-3756, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.009. Accessed Aug. 2026. APA 6 T.O, A., & M.A, O. (2026, August). UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY AGEING THROUGH LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(8), 3746-3756. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.009 Chicago T.O, Adeyemi, and Obomeghie M.A. "UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY AGEING THROUGH LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 8 (August 2026), 3746-3756. Accessed August, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i08.009.
References [1] . Thais, A., Georgius, K., Kathryn, R. M., and Martin, W. (2021). Determinants of healthy ageing: A systematic review of contemporary literature. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research , 34(6),1215-1227. [2] . United Nations. (2023). World population prospects: The 2022 revision (ST/ESA/SER.A/177). Department of Economic and Social Affairs. [3] . Chatterji, S., Byles, J., Cutler, D., Seeman, T., and Verdes, E. (2015). Health, functioning and disability in older adults: Present status and future implications. The Lancet, 385, 563–575. [4] . Akinyemi, J. O., and Adedini, S. A. (2022). Determinants of active and healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from WHO SAGE data in Ghana and South Africa. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 371. [5] . Ameh, S., Klipstein-Grobush, K., D’ambroso, L., Kahn, K., Tolman, S. M., and Gomez-Olive, F. X. (2014). Predictors of healthcare use by adults 50 years and over in a rural South African setting. Global Health Action, 7(1), 24771. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.24771 [6] . Togo-Bickersteth, F., and Akinyemi, A. I. (2014). Ageing and national development in Nigeria: Costly assumptions and challenges for the future. African Population Studies, 27(2), 361-371. [7] . Ajayi, A. I., and Akpan, W. (2019). Determinants of self-rated health and disability among older adults in South Africa and Nigeria: Evidence from WHO SAGE. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1), 310. https://doi.org/10.1186/312877-019-1335-x [8] . Eboiyehi, F. A. (2015). Elderly care and social welfare policies in Nigeria: A case study of the non-contributory pension scheme. Journal of Aging in Emerging Economies, 7(2), 1–19. [9] . Adebayo, A. M., Oladimeji, K. E., and Akiyemi, J. O. (2017). Lifestyle factors and health status of elderly persons in a rural community in South-West Nigeria. Journal of Gerontological Research, 4(2), 45-58. [10] . Olatunde, O., and Adisa, B. O. (2015). Lifestyle and well-being of elderly people in selected communities in Osun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 5(4), 130–137. [11] . State Ministry of Land and Surveys, Benin City, Nigeria. (2021). Map and housing data of Auchi community, Edo State [12] . Cochran, W. G. (1963). Sampling techniques (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. [13] . World Health Organization. (2023). World report on ageing and health. https://www.who.int/ageing.world-report-2023-launch/en/ [14] . Ogunyemi, A. O. (2012). Lifestyle patterns and health status of the elderly in selected rural communities of South-West Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences, 11(2), 69–76. [15] . Beard, J. R., and Bloom, D. E. (2015). Towards a comprehensive public health response to population ageing. The Lancet, 385, 658–661.
ABSTRACT: Population ageing is increasing rapidly across the world, particularly in developing countries where health systems are often inadequately prepared for the growing needs of older adults. In sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, older persons experience increasing vulnerability to chronic diseases, disability and poor quality of life due to inadequate healthcare access, poverty and unhealthy lifestyle practices. This study examined the association between lifestyle patterns and healthy ageing among elderly people in Edo State, Nigeria. A communitybased cross-sectional survey design was adopted among 500 older adults aged 65 years and above, selected through simple random sampling from four wards in Auchi, Edo State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic characteristics, sleep duration, smoking status, dietary pattern, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Healthy ageing was measured based on self-reported functional ability and physical well-being. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Findings revealed that 76.0% of respondents reported good physical functioning and healthy ageing outcomes. About 44.0% slept more than 8 hours daily, 65.8% consumed balanced carbohydrate/protein diets, while 79.6% were non-smokers. However, 62.4% consumed alcohol in varying degrees. Multivariate logistic regression showed that regular sleep duration (OR = 1.486; p < 0.05), healthy diet pattern (OR = 1.533; p < 0.05), and engagement in basic physical activity (OR = 2.897; p < 0.05) significantly increased the likelihood of healthy ageing among older adults. Smoking habit (OR = 0.443; p > 0.05) and alcohol consumption (OR = 0.352; p > 0.05) reduced the likelihood of healthy ageing although not statistically significant. The study concluded that positive lifestyle behaviours significantly contribute to healthy ageing among elderly persons in Edo State, Nigeria. The study recommends the development of public health policies promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, adequate sleep and behavioural health education for older adults.

IJSSER is Member of