Pulse
Older and wiser?

CMAJ 2000;162:687

Younger women are less likely than older women to try to reduce the amount of fat in their diet, with 64% of women aged 20­24 and 65% of those aged 25­34 reporting having taken action, compared with 77% and 80% in the 45­54 and 55­64 age groups. Older women are also somewhat more concerned about increasing the levels of starch and fibre in their diet: 37% of those aged 45­54 and 44% of those aged 55­64 have taken action in this regard, compared with 28% of those in the 20­24 age group and 30% of those in the 25­34 age group. These differences are perhaps not unexpected, given that the likelihood of being overweight increases with age. Only 19% and 31% of women in the 20­24 and 25­35 age groups are overweight, compared with 46% and 53% of those aged 45­54 and 55­64.

Age is also a factor in the likelihood of women ever having had a Pap test,and having had a Pap test according to the recommended schedule (every 3 years). Women aged 75+ and 20­24 are the least likely to ever have had a Pap test (67% and 74%), while 90% or more of those aged 25­34 through 55­64 have had the test at some point in their life. However, among women who have had the test, younger women were more likely to have had it within the past 3 years (98% of those aged 20­24 and 94% of those aged 25­34, compared with only 74% of those aged 55­64). — Shelley Martin, Physician Survey Analyst, CMA

Readers may send potential research topics to Patrick Sullivan (sullip@cma.ca; 613 731-8610 or 800 663-7336 x2126; fax 613 565-2382).

Send a letter to the editor Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction

© 2000 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors