Objective indicators of physical activity and sedentary time and associations with subjective well-being in adults aged 70 and over.

This study explored the associations of the volume and intensity of physical activity and the volume of sedentary time with subjective well-being in a diverse group of 228 older adults in the UK (111 female, mean age 78.2 years (SD 5.8)). Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour were assessed by accelerometry deriving mean steps per day, mean moderate/vigorous PA minutes per hour (MVPA min · h(-1)) and minutes of sedentary time per hour (ST min · h(-1)). Lower limb function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Subjective well-being was assessed using the SF-12 health status scale, the Ageing Well Profile and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Linear regressions were used to investigate associations between the independent variables which included physical activity (steps and MVPA), sedentary time, participant characteristics (gender, age, BMI, education, number of medical conditions), and lower limb function and dependent variables which included mental and physical well-being. Steps, MVPA and lower limb function were independently and moderately positively associated with perceived physical well-being but relationships with mental well-being variables were weak. No significant associations between sedentary behaviours and well-being were observed. The association between objectively evaluated physical activity and function and subjective evaluations of physical well-being suggest that improving perceptions of physical health and function may provide an important target for physical activity programmes. This in turn may drive further activity participation.

Associations of objectively measured physical activity with lower limb function in older men and women: findings from the Older People and Active Living (OPAL) study.

Associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with objectively measured lower limb function in adults age 70 and older were studied. Lower limb function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and PA by an accelerometer providing mean daily counts per minute (CPM), mean daily steps and minutes of moderate or vigorous PA (MVPA) per day. A minority (32 [13%]) scored low (≤6 out of a maximum of 12) on the SPPB, but only 3 (1%) achieved recommended PA levels. Adjusting for confounders, the odds ratio of low SPPB (≤6) comparing those in the lowest one third to highest two thirds of mean CPM was 55 (95%CI: 6, 520); for mean steps per day it was 23 (95%CI: 4, 137) and for minutes of MVPA per day 56 (95%CI: 6, 530). Low levels of PA are common and are associated with poor levels of lower limb function in older adults.

Determinants of neighborhood activity of adults age 70 and over: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: This mixed-methods study investigated personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors salient to decisions about being active in neighborhoods of different levels of deprivation. METHODS: Twenty-five participants age 70 years and older (10 women) with diverse physical activity levels provided data on their weekly activity patterns (using accelerometry) and their perceived barriers to exercise (questionnaire). They also participated in semistructured individual interviews exploring the barriers and facilitators influencing neighborhood activity. RESULTS: Functional limitations, lack of intrinsic motivation, and not having an activity companion were the highest impact barriers. Walkable access to amenities, positive physical activity perceptions, and existing habit of being active were the highest impact facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived quality and accessibility of the built and natural environments influence neighborhood activity in older adults. However, this relationship might be altered through the influence of personal and interpersonal determinants such as maintenance of good health and functional ability and supportive social networks.

Getting out and about in older adults: the nature of daily trips and their association with objectively assessed physical activity.

BACKGROUND: A key public health objective is increasing health-enhancing physical activity (PA) for older adults (OAs). Daily trip frequency is independently associated with objectively assessed PA volumes (OAs). Little is known about correlates and these trips' transport mode, and how these elements relate to PA. PURPOSE: to describe the frequency, purpose, and travel mode of daily trips in OAs, and their association with participant characteristics and objectively-assessed PA. METHODS: Participants (n = 214, aged 78.1 SD 5.7 years), completed a seven-day trips log recording daily-trip frequency, purpose and transport mode. Concurrently participants wore an accelerometer which provided mean daily steps (steps·d-1), and minutes of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA·d-1). Participants' physical function (PF) was estimated and demographic, height and weight data obtained. RESULTS: Trip frequency was associated with gender, age, physical function, walking-aid use, educational attainment, number of amenities within walking distance and cars in the household. Participants reported 9.6 (SD 4.2) trips per week (trips·wk-1). Most trips (61%) were by car (driver 44%, passenger 17%), 30% walking or cycling (active) and 9% public transport/other. Driving trips·wk-1 were more common in participants who were males (5.3 SD 3.6), well-educated (5.0 SD 4.3), high functioning (5.1 SD 4.6), younger (5.6 SD 4.9), affluent area residents (5.1 SD 4.2) and accessing > one car (7.2 SD 4.7). Active trips·wk-1 were more frequent in participants who were males (3.4 SD 3.6), normal weight (3.2 SD 3.4), not requiring walking aids (3.5 SD 3.3), well-educated (3.7 SD 0.7), from less deprived neighbourhoods (3.9 SD 3.9) and with ≥ 8 amenities nearby (4.4 SD 3.8).Public transport, and active trip frequency, were significantly associated with steps·d-1 (p < 0.001), even after adjustment for other trip modes and potential confounders. Public transport, active, or car driving trips were independently associated with minutes MVPA·d-1 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Daily trips are associated with objectively-measured PA as indicated by daily MVPA and steps. Public transport and active trips are associated with greater PA than those by car, especially as a car passenger. Strategies encouraging increased trips, particularly active or public transport trips, in OAs can potentially increase their PA and benefit public health.

Food shopping habits, physical activity and health-related indicators among adults aged ≥70 years.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the food shopping habits of older adults in the UK and explore their potential associations with selected health-related indicators. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study including objectively measured physical activity levels, BMI, physical function and self-reported health status and dietary intake. SETTING: Bristol, UK. SUBJECTS: A total of 240 older adults aged ≥70 years living independently. RESULTS: Mean age was 78·1 (sd 5·7) years; 66·7 % were overweight or obese and 4 % were underweight. Most (80·0 %) carried out their own food shopping; 53·3 % shopped at least once weekly. Women were more likely to shop alone (P < 0·001) and men more likely to shop with their spouse (P < 0·001). Men were more likely than women to drive to food shopping (P < 0·001), with women more likely to take the bus or be driven (P < 0·001). Most reported ease in purchasing fruit and vegetables (72·9 %) and low-fat products (67·5 %); 19·2 % reported low fibre intakes and 16·2 % reported high fat intakes. Higher levels of physical function and physical activity and better general health were significantly correlated with the ease of purchasing fresh fruit, vegetables and low-fat products. Shopping more often was associated with higher fat intake (P = 0·03); higher levels of deprivation were associated with lower fibre intake (P = 0·019). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a pattern of food shopping carried out primarily by car at least once weekly at large supermarket chains, with most finding high-quality fruit, vegetables and low-fat products easily accessible. Higher levels of physical function and physical activity and better self-reported health are important in supporting food shopping and maintaining independence.

Objectively measured physical activity in a diverse sample of older urban UK adults.

BACKGROUND: There are many health and social benefits of physical activity (PA) for older adults, but little is known about their activity patterns. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the PA patterns of older adults and the lifestyle and demographic factors associated with PA. METHODS: Participants (N = 230, aged 78.1 yr) recruited from medical practices (between 2007 and 2008) completed journey logs and wore accelerometers for 7 d. Mean daily steps, counts per minute (CPM), minutes of sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and frequency of journeys were analyzed (in 2009). RESULTS: Younger participants (age = 70-74.9 yr) were significantly (P < 0.001) more active (5660.8 steps per day) than older participants aged 80+ yr (3409.6 steps per day). Men performed significantly (P = 0.035) more minutes MVPA than women (23.1 vs 13.8 min MVPA per day). Normal weight participants were significantly (P < 0.05) more active (5368.9 steps per day) than overweight (4532.7 steps per day) and obese (3251.4 steps per day) groups. Those performing many journeys (>11.6 journeys per week) were significantly (P < 0.001) more active (5838.2 steps per day) than those performing few (<7 journeys per week) (3094.2 steps per day). PA was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in mornings (259.3 CPM) than afternoons (181.8 CPM) and evenings (102.5 CPM). Sundays were significantly (P < 0.001) less active (3331.7 steps per day) than Saturdays (4193.1 steps per day) and weekdays (4623.5 steps per day). Light activity was significantly (P = 0.005) higher in spring (3.4 h·d(-1)) than that in winter (2.7 h·d(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults' PA patterns differ by age, gender, and weight status. Daily journeys are associated with more activity for all groups. Variability in volume of activity is high for all age groups. Temporal patterns of PA indicate that journeys out of the house for shopping and personal business are important in their contribution to PA levels.