A study on the subjective symptoms of the ageing process in middle-aged men: effects of socio-economic status,diet and health care behaviour*

In order to investigate the factors influencing the ageing process of middle-aged men, different environmental variables including socio-economic status, diet, smoking and drinking were studied as possible determinants of the ageing process. Six hundred and forty-seven Korean men over 40 years of age were studied. Frequency, chi-square, t-test, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were employed to identify the significant variables. As a result of the analyses, occupation and smoking were found to be the most influential factors. In short, those who did not refrain from smoking and had professional jobs experienced early symptoms in the ageing process.