Back to Search
Start Over
Physical Activity among Older People Living Alone in Shanghai, China
- Source :
-
Health Education Journal . Mar 2015 74(2):156-167. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Objective: To investigate physical activity among older people living alone in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, and key factors contributing to their physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered in nine communities in Shanghai, using a stratified random cluster sample: 521 community-dwelling older people living alone (aged 60 years and above) completed a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Their physical activity was measured using their self-reported frequency of engaging in different types of activities. Other data collected included self-rated health, number of chronic diseases, depression, functional ability, loneliness, social support and socio-demographic variables. Results: Only 16.7% of participants reported adequate physical activity, defined as performing at least 30 minutes of moderate/strenuous exercise on at least 5 days per week. A younger age, a lower level of education, better functional ability and walking outside the home 5-7 days per week increased the likelihood of adequate physical activity. Gender, self-rated health, number of chronic diseases, depression and social support also had relationships with physical activity levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of adequate physical activity in older people living alone in Shanghai was low. In this population, appropriate health education interventions to promote physical activity levels are needed.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0017-8969
- Volume :
- 74
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- Health Education Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1052416
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896914523943