Is car use related with successful aging of older adults? Results from the multinational Mediterranean islands study

Purpose The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between car use and the level of successful aging of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin. Methods During 2005–2011, 2749 older (aged 65–100 years) from 22 islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the Mediterranean islands cross-sectional study. Sociodemographics, medical conditions, and dietary and lifestyle habits were derived throughout standard procedures. Car use was recorded with a standard binary question. A successful aging index ranging from 0–10 was used. Results Older adults who used a car on regular basis had significantly higher levels of successful aging, as well as less prevalence of obesity and hypertension while were more physically active (P < .001). After adjusting for several confounders car use was still positively related with elderly islander's successful aging level (beta coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.65 [0.54–0.77]). Conclusions In conclusion, the activity of car use seems to be an indicator of quality of life among older adults, as measured through successful aging.