Socioeconomic factors from midlife predict mobility limitation and depressed mood three decades later findings from the AGES-Reykjavik study

Data were from 4,809 men and women aged 33--65 years who participated in the Reykjavik Study (1967--1992) and who were re-examined in old age in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES) -Reykjavik Study (2002--2006).Education and occupation predicted mobility limitation and depressed mood. Independently, home and car ownership and the availability of housing features predicted mobility limitation. Shortages of food in childhood and lack of a car in midlife predicted depressed mood.Socioeconomic factors from midlife and from childhood affect mobility limitation and depressed mood in old age. Prevention of health problems in old age should begin as early as midlife. (187)