Gender differences in factors associated with change in physical functioning in old age: a 6-year longitudinal study.

We compared 356 older men and women and found that income, education, and marital status had significantly stronger associations with 6-year change in functioning for men; internal health locus of control was stronger for women. Large but not significant differences occurred for age, perceived health, and days going out per week (stronger for women) plus exercise and smoking (stronger for men). We found no difference for ethnicity, chronic conditions, and social contacts. Gender specific models incorporating factors amenable to change predicted significantly higher follow-up functioning for those with positive health behaviors, supporting the value of preventive interventions.