Poster Session
Relationship between Earthquake-related Deaths and Building Damage Caused by Earthquakes and Tsunamis View Digital Media
Poster Session Tomoko Shigaki
This research focuses on the city of Ishinomaki (3277 direct deaths, 276 indirect deaths; the number of deaths accounts for 2% of the total population), which was severely damaged by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. The earthquake resulted in 269 casualties. By considering the circumstances of each death, we seek to reevaluate the safety of homes and assess the degree of damage according to place of residence. A total of 31 Disaster Condolence meetings have been held between August 30, 2011 and October 5, 2021. At the time of the earthquake, 58% of victims were at home, 12% at hospitals, 10% at facilities for the elderly, and 17% had no description. Although half of the facilities for the elderly had no building damage, there were disruptions to lifelines and lack of care. 40% of the hospitals were flooded and were evacuated vertically, but due to the disruption of lifelines, it was difficult to get warm by themselves and transfer hospitals. On the other hand, 5% of victims that were in houses at the time of the earthquake were washed away, 40% were completely destroyed, and 15% were flooded above or below the floor. 8% had no housing damage.
Iron Status Determined Changes in Health Measures Induced by Nordic Walking with Time Restricted Eating in Older Adults View Digital Media
Poster Session Jakub Kortas
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether stored iron determine the adaptive response induced by Nordic walking (NW) training combined with 10h time-restricted eating (TRE) in older adults. Twenty-four participants underwent 12-week NW training supported by 10h of TRE. The group was divided due to baseline ferritin concentration low <75 ng/ml (LF) and high level ≥ 75 ng/ml (HF). Assessment of body composition, physical fitness and blood collection was performed at baseline and post intervention. Results indicate NW+TRE induced a statistically significant decrease in ferritin levels in all participants (p=0.01). Additionally, statistically significant intergroup differences in the LF vs. HF in the reduction of serum ferritin levels (p=0.04) were observed. The procedure NW+TRE diminished HbA1c levels (p<0.01) and glucose in all participants (p=0.05). The range of HbA1c drop was more pronounced among those participants who experienced a greater decrease in the stored iron (p=0.04, η_p^2=0.17, F=4.59). Greater changes in body weight and percent of body fat were recorded in the HF group (for both p<0.01). We conclude that body iron stores determine the effects of a 12-week NW+TRE intervention on serum ferritin. The changes in HbA1c are more pronounced in subjects with a higher decrease in serum ferritin.
Malnutrition in Relation to Muscle Status and Frailty Amongst Older Adults in Singapore View Digital Media
Poster Session Sharon Chew, Teresa Leong
The prevalence of malnutrition among older populations ranges 23–46% globally. In Singapore, 30.4% of community-dwelling older Singaporeans face nutritional risks. Malnutrition contributes to the onset of sarcopenia which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for the individual and heavier healthcare burdens for the society. This cross-sectional study assessed nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and its association with muscle mass, handgrip strength, and frailty status among community-dwelling older Singaporeans aged ≥50 years (N=976). Muscle mass and handgrip strength were measured using a bioimpedance analyzer (BIA) and a digital dynamometer respectively, while the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of weight (FRAIL) scale was used to gauge frailty. The sample had a mean age of 62.6 (SD=7.1) and was predominantly female (67%) and Chinese (92%). 78% of participants exhibited normal nutritional status and 90% were robust. 9% and 11% had low muscle mass and handgrip strength respectively when gender-based cut-offs were applied. MNA-SF scores were positively correlated with both muscle mass (r=0.33) and handgrip strength (r=0.12), and negatively correlated with FRAIL scores (r=-0.15), all p<0.001 after controlling for demographic variables. In other words, the lower the nutritional status, the lower the muscle mass and handgrip strength, and the frailer one is. These findings highlight that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet coupled with regular physical activity are important elements in the prevention and management of sarcopenia and frailty, conditions which limit older adults’ community mobility.
Life Space of Older Adults in Singapore in Relation to Depression and Social Engagement View Digital Media
Poster Session Teresa Leong, Sharon Chew
Life space, which is the area in which a person travels, is a measure of community mobility. With an ageing population in Singapore, there is increasing concern over older adults’ mental and social well-being. Understanding the possible association of psychosocial factors, such as depression and social engagement, with life space can advance the active aging agenda. This study examines the relationships between older adults’ 1) depression and social engagement, 2) social engagement and life space, and 3) depression and life space. 976 participants (≥50 years old) responded to a quantitative survey comprising the University of Alabama Life-Space Assessment (UAB-LSA) scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-SF) and the Lubben’s Social Network Scale (LSNS-R), which measured their life space, levels of depression, and social engagement respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to assess the relationships between these variables while controlling for demographics. The results show a significant negative correlation between LSNS-R and GDS-SF scores (r=-.35, p<.001), demonstrating that higher social engagement was associated with lower depression. LSA scores were positively correlated to LSNS-R scores (r=.17, p<.001) and negatively correlated to GDS-SF scores (r=-.23, p<.001), which meant that larger life spaces were associated with higher social engagement levels and lower depression scores. In conclusion, caring for older adults’ mental and social well-being is imperative for maintaining older adults’ mobility in the community as these psychosocial factors are significantly correlated to life space.
