Factors Associated with the Level of Physical Activity in Elderly Individuals Enrolled in the University Welfare Health Plan of Córdoba

Abstract

The proportion of elderly people is growing worldwide. In this state of affairs, healthy aging considers Physical Activity (PA) a necessary habit. Objective: To analyze factors associated with PA engagement among elderly people enrolled in the university welfare health plan (obra social universitaria).

An observational-descriptive, cross sectional, association (ANOVA or chi-squared, accordingly) study. Universe: 8335 elderly people. Sample: 367 adults, 60 years and older; April-May 2019 convenience sampling. The following variables were analyzed: sociodemographic, clinic, PA according to IPAQ questionnaire, environmental perception as for the quality of the streets and opportunities available to engage in PA. Pa was categorized in three levels: Healthy, Insufficient and Sedentarism.

Average age of 73 years old; 58.6% women; 55.6% married women; 55.3% with completed university education; 82.8% retired. The following cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) were identified: 52.6% HBP; 20.4 % obesity; 40.6% overweight; 35.15% normal weight; 7.1% dyslipidemia. Most common diseases: 34.1% osteoarticular disease; 26.4% cardiovascular disease; 21.5% diabetes mellitus; 8.2% respiratory disease; 1.6% stroke. PA activity was carried out in the following proportions: 37.3% healthy; 41.7% insufficient; 20.9% sedentarism. The environmental perception was considered favorable in relation with streets, sidewalks, green spaces, and illumination. Difficulties were perceived in relation with crosswalks, the traffic and the weather. Younger individuals performed more PA than those over 73 years old (p< 0.026). Higher education levels were linked to increased physical activity compared to individuals with complete primary education (p< 0.005). Sedentarism was associated with lower income (p< 0.0005). People with CVR and other diseases were more sedentary, although significant differences were only achieved in the cases of obesity (p<0.027), stroke (p<0.013), and respiratory diseases (p< 0.03979).

In spite of the demonstrated benefits of PA and the favorable environment, the level of healthy PA is low, especially in the elderly and in those cases in which PA is recommended. PA should be encouraged as a habit from an early age for all individuals. In the case of the elderly, concrete strategies should be implemented to ensure access to PA and supervision from specialized professionals.