Table 1 Sample Characteristics of Adults with Asthma, COPD, and those below the LLN

Age (years)

60.9 ± 9.7

65.0 ± 9.9

61.7 ± 9.9

BMI (kg/m²)

29.0 ± 6.1

29.2 ± 6.3

29.6 ± 6.6

Height (cm)

167.0 ± 9.6

166.3 ± 9.5

170.8 ± 9.7

FEV₁ (L)

2.5 ± 0.7

2.2 ± 0.8

2.0 ± 0.6

FEV₁% predicted

91.2 ± 17.3

85.1 ± 20.4

65.4 ± 9.7

FVC (L)

3.4 ± 0.9

3.1 ± 0.9

2.9 ± 0.8

FVC % predicted

90.6 ± 14.6

85.9 ± 16.1

70.6 ± 10.8

FEV₁/FVC

0.75 ± 0.07

0.72 ± 0.09

0.69 ± 0.09

FEV₁/FVC % predicted

99.9 ± 9.4

97.3 ± 12.0

92.9 ± 12.0

Education (% of sample)

Less than secondary school graduation

4.0%

9.2%

6.2%

Secondary school graduation, no post-secondary education

7.3%

10.3%

9.6%

Some post-secondary education

6.8%

9.9%

8.3%

Post-secondary degree/diploma

81.9%

70.6%

75.9%

Retirement Status (% of sample)

Retired

38.1%

54.0%

41.1%

Not or partly retired

61.9%

46.0%

58.9%

Activity Levels (hours/week)

In sitting activities

18.2 ± 6.1

19.1 ± 5.9

18.5 ± 6.1

Walking

4.3 ± 4.7

3.9 ± 4.3

4.1 ± 4.7

Light activities

0.8 ± 2.5

0.9 ± 2.6

0.8 ± 2.6

Moderate sports or recreational activities

0.7 ± 2.4

0.7 ± 2.6

0.6 ± 2.3

Strenuous sports or recreational activities

1.5 ± 3.0

0.8 ± 2.2

1.1 ± 2.7

Increase muscle strength and endurance

0.7 ± 1.7

0.7 ± 1.9

0.6 ± 1.5

Sleep (% of sample)

Less than 6 h

14.4%

19.8%

14.4%

6 to 8 h

80.1%

71.2%

80.8%

More than 8 h

5.4%

9.0%

4.8%

Perceived health (% of sample)

Good (excellent and very good

56.3%

42.9%

48.3%

Poor (good, fair, and poor)

43.7%

57.1%

51.7%

Self-rated healthy aging (% of sample)

Good (excellent and very good

59.0%

46.2%

49.6%

Poor (good, fair, and poor)

41.0%

53.8%

50.4%

Self-rated mental health (% of sample)

Good (excellent and very good

66.6%

57.8%

66.0%

Poor (good, fair, and poor)

33.4%

42.2%

34.0%

Emergency visit in last 12 months (% Yes)

21.1%

26.7%

20.5%

Overnight hospitalization in last 12 months (% Yes)

8.8%

12.5%

9.9%