Abstract
ObjectiveReducing sedentary behaviour (SB) might improve the health of older adults. However, we know little about how objectively measured SB impacts on self-rated health in older adults. We aimed to explore the associations between objectively measured SB and self-rated health in English older adults.ResultsA random sub-sample of older adults (≥ 65 years old) from the 2008 Health Survey for England wore an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for 7 days. Self-rated health was measured using an item from the General Health Questionnaire. Linear regression and analysis of covariance were used to test the associations between percentage time spent in SB and mean daily minutes in SB and self-rated health (very good/good; fair; bad/very bad), adjusting for covariates. Valid accelerometry datasets were returned by 578 individuals. Significant negative associations between percentage time and mean daily minutes in SB and self-rated health were found. In particular, individuals spending reduced percentages of time being sedentary had higher self-rated health. In conclusion, SB appears to be associated with self-rated health in older people independently from MVPA. If longitudinal research could determine how changes in SB influence self-rated health as individuals’ age, this might be an important lifestyle variable to target for health improvement.
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) promotes healthy ageing while inactivity is associated with elevated risks of chronic disease and all-cause mortality [1, 2]
Before adjustment for covariates, there was a negative trend between self-rated health and percentage time and daily time in sedentary behaviour (SB) in the sample of 578 participants (Table 2)
The sample size for the analysis reduced to 435 participants
Summary
From the original dataset containing 1250 older adults, 578 returned valid accelerometry datasets. Before adjustment for covariates, there was a negative trend between self-rated health and percentage time and daily time in SB in the sample of 578 participants (Table 2). Day) Percentage of time in moderate-vigorous physical activity (%) Self-rated health, n (%) Very good/good Fair Bad/very bad Age (years) Sex, n (%) Males Females Body mass index (kg/m2)* Urban/rural classification, n (%) Urban Suburban/town Village/hamlet/isolated dwelling Smoking status, n (%) Never smoked Occasional smoker Regular smoker Current smoker Current alcohol drinker, n (%) Yes No Long standing illness, n (%) No condition present Condition present. In Model 2 using daily time in SB, a significant negative association was found but to a lesser extent (p < 0.001; adjusted r2 = 0.177) (Table 2). Considering daily times, individuals rating their health as very good/good spent significantly less time in SB than fair (− 29.23 min/day; 95% CI − 51.62 to − 6.83) but not bad/ very bad (31.52 min per day; 95% CI − 65.38 to 2.34)
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