scholarly journals Physical Activity and Insomnia Symptoms Over 10 Years in a U.S. National Sample of Late-Middle-Age and Older Adults: Age Matters

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Amanda Sonnega ◽  
Amanda Leggett ◽  
Renee Pepin ◽  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Frontline Treatment ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms ◽  
Retirement Study

Research suggests that physical activity may influence sleep, yet more research is needed before it can be considered a frontline treatment for insomnia. Less is known about how this relationship is moderated by age. Using multilevel modeling, we examined self-reported physical activity and insomnia symptoms in 18,078 respondents from the U.S. nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (2004–2014). The mean baseline age was 64.7 years, with 53.9% female. Individuals who reported more physical activity (B = −0.005, p < .001) had fewer insomnia symptoms. Over 10 years, the respondents reported fewer insomnia symptoms at times when they reported more physical activity than was average for them (B = −0.003, p < .001). Age moderated this relationship (B = 0.0002, p < .01). Although modest, these findings concur with the literature, suggesting moderate benefits of physical activity for sleep in older adults. Future research should aim to further elucidate this relationship among adults at advanced ages.

scholarly journals POLYGENETIC SCORE IS ASSOCIATED WITH T2D; EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S892-S893
Author(s):  
Fadi Youkhana ◽  
Yanyan Wu ◽  
Mika Thompson ◽  
Catherine M Pirkle
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex chronic disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Studies that use a combined polygenetic score (PGS), calculated based on the number of risk alleles an individual may have, are rarely applied to a representative national sample. We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative study of older U.S. adults 50-years or older to examine the impact of PGS and behavioral risk factors (education, poverty ratio, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption and physical activity) with incident T2D. We used ethnic-straitifed Poisson generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with robust standard errors to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and risk ratios (RRs). Our sample included genotyped Black (N=2,823) and White (N=11,178) men and women.The highest PRs for T2D were among those in the 5th PGS quintile in both Whites (PR=2.24, 95%CI 1.89, 2.65, P-value &lt;0.0001) and Blacks (PR=1.73, 95%CI 1.28,2.33, P-value 0.0003). The highest risk for T2D was among obese Whites (RR=3.35, 95%CI 2.93,3.82, P-value &lt;0.0001) and Blacks (RR=1.60, 95%CI 1.28, 2.00, P-value &lt;0.0001). Our findings found associations between PGS and T2D as well as some lifestyle factors among both Black and White individuals in a nationally representative sample with similar patterns in age, physical activity and poverty ratio. Our study supports the importance of including modifiable and non-modifiable life-style factors in the analysis of risk alleles for T2D to continue addressing the disparities between T2D risk between race/ethnicity groups

scholarly journals Normalized grip strength is inversely associated with DNAm age in middle age and older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 984-984
Author(s):  
Mark Peterson ◽  
Stacey Collins ◽  
Helen Meier ◽  
Jessica Faul
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Biomarker Of Aging

Abstract There is a large body of evidence linking muscular weakness, as determined by low grip strength, to a host of negative aging-related health outcomes. Given these links, grip strength has been labeled a “biomarker of aging”; and yet, this metric provides no biological plausibility. The objective of this study was to determine the association between grip strength and DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration. Middle age and older adults from the 2006-2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study with 8-years of follow-up were included. Cross sectional and longitudinal modeling were performed to examine the association between grip strength (normalized to body mass: NGS) and DNAm age acceleration, adjusting for cell composition, sociodemographic variables, and smoking. Three DNAm clocks were incorporated for estimating age acceleration including the established DunedinPoAm, Levine, and GrimAge clocks. There was a robust and independent cross sectional association between NGS and DNAm age for men (β:-0.36; p&lt;0.001) and women (β:-0.36; p&lt;0.001) using the DunedinPoAm clock, and for men only using the Levine (β:-8.04; p=0.01) and GrimAge (β:-4.76; p=0.01) clocks. There was also an independent longitudinal association between baseline NGS and DNAm age for men (β:-0.27; p&lt;0.001) and women (β:-0.36; p&lt;0.001) using the DunedinPoAm clock, and for women only using the Levine (β:-8.20; p&lt;0.001) and GrimAge (β:-6.04; p&lt;0.001) clocks. Our findings provide some evidence of age acceleration among men and women with lower NGS. Future research is needed to understand the extent to which DNAm age mediates the association between grip strength and chronic disease, disability, and mortality.

379 Do Depressive Symptoms Mediate the Association Between Insomnia and Physical Activity?

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A150-A151
Author(s):  
Jamie Walker ◽  
Rebecca Campbell ◽  
Ivan Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

Abstract Introduction Insomnia and depression are highly comorbid and have been shown to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity. It is not clear, however, if being less physically active is a risk factor for or consequence of depression and insomnia. The factors that explain the associations between insomnia, depression, and physical activity are likely complex and overlapping. For example, insomnia may predict inactivity by impacting one’s energy levels, leaving them too tired to exercise. Insomnia may also interfere with one’s motivation to exercise due to low mood, as insomnia is associated with the development of depressive symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether depression mediated the link between insomnia and low levels of physical activity. Methods A national online survey was conducted from April-June 2020. Participants completed surveys to assess demographics, mood, sleep, and physical activity. Depressive symptoms were estimated with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Insomnia symptoms were estimated with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Physical activity levels were estimated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Analyses were conducted using multiple linear regression, with separate models for depression, insomnia, and the combination of the two, on levels of physical activity. Results 3,952 adults (Mage = 46.9 years) completed the survey. According to the unadjusted models, greater insomnia symptoms were associated with greater depressive symptoms (b = 0.4523, SE = 0.019593, p &lt; .001), and lower levels of physical activity (b = -38.741, SE = 18.236, p = 0.0337). The relationship between insomnia and physical activity was no longer significant, however, when controlling for depression (b = -6.140, SE = 19.274, p = 0.75). According to the mediation analyses, there was an indirect effect of insomnia on physical activity that was explained by differences in depressive symptoms (Sobel Test = -4.895, SE = 6.518, p &lt; .001). Conclusion Our findings support previous research indicating associations between symptoms of insomnia and depression and physical activity. Future research should examine if these same results hold using a longitudinal design. Support (if any) Vargas: K23HL141581

Predicting Uptake of the COVID Coach App Among U.S. Military Veterans: A Funnel Analysis Using a Probability-Based Panel (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth K Jaworski ◽  
Katherine Taylor ◽  
Kelly M Ramsey ◽  
Adrienne J Heinz ◽  
Sarah Steinmetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Managing Stress ◽  
Usage Data

BACKGROUND Although the pandemic has not led to a uniform increase of mental health concerns among older adults, there is evidence to suggest that some older veterans did experience an exacerbation of pre-existing mental health conditions, and that mental health difficulties were associated with a lack of social support and increasing numbers of pandemic-related stressors. Mobile mental health apps are scalable, may be a helpful resource for managing stress during the pandemic and beyond, and could potentially provide services that are not accessible due to the pandemic. However, overall comfort with mobile devices and factors influencing the uptake and usage of mobile apps during the pandemic among older veterans are not well known. COVID Coach is a free, evidence-informed mobile app designed for pandemic-related stress. Public usage data have been evaluated, but its uptake and usage among older veterans has not been explored. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current study was to characterize smartphone ownership rates among U.S. veterans, identify veteran characteristics associated with downloading and use of COVID Coach, and characterize key content usage within the app. METHODS Data were analyzed from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), which surveyed a nationally representative, prospective cohort of 3,078 U.S. military veterans before and one year into the pandemic. The NHRVS sample was drawn from KnowledgePanel®, a research panel of more than 50,000 households maintained by Ipsos, Inc. Median time to complete the survey was nearly 32 minutes. The research version of COVID Coach was offered to all veterans who completed the peri-pandemic follow-up assessment on a mobile device (n = 814; weighted 34.2% of total sample). App usage data from all respondents who downloaded the app (n = 34; weighted 3.3% of the mobile completers sample) were collected between November 14, 2020 and November 7, 2021. RESULTS We found that most U.S. veterans own smartphones and veterans with higher education, greater number of adverse childhood experiences, higher extraversion, and greater severity of pandemic-related PTSD symptoms were more likely to download COVID Coach. Although uptake and usage of COVID Coach was relatively low (3.3% of eligible participants, n = 34), 50% of the participants returned to the app for more than one day of use. The interactive tools for managing stress were used most frequently. CONCLUSIONS Although the coronavirus pandemic has increased the need for and creation of digital mental health tools, these resources may require tailoring for older veteran populations. Future research is needed to better understand how to optimize digital mental health tools, such as apps, to ensure uptake and usage among older adults, particularly those who have experienced traumas across the lifespan.

scholarly journals Coprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Opioids in Older Adults: Rates, Correlates, and National Trends

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1910-1915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taeho Greg Rhee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physician Visits ◽  
Prescribing Trends ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data ◽  
National Trends ◽  
Ambulatory Medical Care ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background To estimate prescribing trends of and correlates independently associated with coprescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids among adults aged 65 years or older in office-based outpatient visits. Methods I examined a nationally representative sample of office-based physician visits by older adults between 2006 and 2015 (n = 109,149 unweighted) using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS). National rates and prescribing trends were estimated. Then, I used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with coprescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids. Results From 2006 to 2015, 15,954 (14.6%) out of 109,149 visits, representative of 39.3 million visits nationally, listed benzodiazepine, opioid, or both medications prescribed. The rate of prescription benzodiazepines only increased monotonically from 4.8% in 2006–2007 to 6.2% in 2014–2015 (p < .001), and the rate of prescription opioids only increased monotonically from 5.9% in 2006–2007 to 10.0% in 2014–2015 (p < .001). The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased over time from 1.1% in 2006–2007 to 2.7% in 2014–2015 (p < .001). Correlates independently associated with a higher likelihood of both benzodiazepine and opioid prescriptions included: female sex, a visit for chronic care, receipt of six or more concomitantly prescribed medications, and clinical diagnoses of anxiety and pain (p < .01 for all). Conclusion The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased monotonically over time in outpatient care settings. Because couse of benzodiazepines and opioids is associated with medication burdens and potential harms, future research is needed to address medication safety in these vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Reducing Isolation and Loneliness Through Membership in a Fitness Program for Older Adults: Implications for Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Brady ◽  
Lisa A. D’Ambrosio ◽  
Adam Felts ◽  
Elizabeth Y. Rula ◽  
Kenneth P. Kell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Fitness Program ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Survey Responses

Objectives: To explore the effects of membership in a fitness program for older adults on social isolation, loneliness, and health. Method: Using survey responses from SilverSneakers members and matched nonmembers, regression path analysis was used to examine the influence of SilverSneakers membership on physical activity, social isolation, loneliness, and health, and the interrelationships among these concepts. Results: SilverSneakers membership directly increased physical activity and self-rated health, directly decreased social isolation, and indirectly decreased loneliness. Decreased social isolation and loneliness were associated with better self-rated health: social isolation and loneliness had independent direct effects on health, while social isolation also had an indirect effect on health mediated through loneliness. Discussion: Members of SilverSneakers experienced better health through increased physical activity, reduced social isolation, and reduced loneliness. Future research should explore independent effects of social isolation and loneliness on health and the mechanisms by which membership reduces social isolation and loneliness.

scholarly journals Blacks’ Diminished Health Returns of Educational Attainment: Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e000212
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Black Americans ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Hispanic White

Background: Education level reduces the risk of health problems such as poor self-rated health (SRH), high body mass index (BMI), and depressive symptoms (DS). Marginalization – related Diminished Returns (MDRs), however, refer to smaller health benefits of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators particularly educational attainment for the members of racial minority groups such as non-Hispanic Blacks compared to the majority group (non-Hispanic Whites). It is not known, however, if MDRs also hold for middle-age and older adults over a long period of time.  Aims: The current study used a nationally representative data set to explore racial variation in the predictive utility of baseline education level on protecting people against poor SRH, BMI, and DS.  Methods: Data for this analysis were borrowed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1992-ongoing), a nationally representative longitudinal study that followed 10,023 middle-aged and older adults (50+ years old) for up to 26 years. From this number, 1877 (18.7%) were non-Hispanic Black Americans, and 8,146 (81.3%) were non-Hispanic White Americans. Education level was the independent variable. We used cluster analysis to categorize individuals to low and high-risk groups (outcome) based on SRH, BMI, and DS over 26 years. Age and gender were the covariates. Race was the moderator.  Results: Overall, high education level reduced the odds of poor SRH, BMI, and DS over the 26 years of follow up. Interactions were observed between race and education on all three health outcomes indicating smaller protective effects of baseline educational attainment on poor health over time, regardless of the outcome.  Conclusions: In line with the MDRs, highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans remain at high risk for poor health across domains, a risk which is unexpected given their education. The risk of all health outcomes, however, is lowest for non-Hispanic White Americans with highest education. Policies that exclusively focus on equalizing racial gaps in SES (e.g., education) may fail to eliminate the racial and ethnic health inequalities because of the racial inequalities in the marginal health return of education. Public policies must equalize education quality and address structural and environmental barriers that are disproportionately more common in the lives of non-Hispanic Black Americans, even at high education levels. Future research should test how contextual factors, segregation, labor market practices, childhood poverty, and education quality reduces the health return of education for highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans.

Research … How Fun Is That? Interesting Questions Relative to the Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Etnier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
North American Society ◽  
National Meeting ◽  
The North ◽  
American Society

In developing a senior lecture for the 2014 national meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, I had the opportunity to reflect upon a career of research and to focus on three interesting questions that my colleagues and I have attempted to address. These questions have led to several studies that all revolve around identifying ways to increase the effects of exercise on cognitive performance. In particular, the questions examine the possibility of increasing effects by focusing on particular populations (e.g., older adults, children) and by increasing our understanding of dose-response relationships between exercise parameters (e.g., intensity, duration) and cognitive outcomes. I present empirical evidence relative to each of these questions and provide directions for future research on physical activity and cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals TRAJECTORIES OF SUBJECTIVE MEMORY IMPAIRMENT AND OBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE IN U.S. OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S205-S205
Author(s):  
Hanzhang Xu ◽  
Matthew E Dupre ◽  
Bei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Memory Impairment ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Dual Trajectories ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Low Educated ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract We examined the dual trajectories of subjective memory impairment (SMI) and objective cognitive decline and their associated factors in U.S. older adults. We used data from the Health and Retirement Study which includes a nationally representative sample of 19,408 Americans age 65 and older from 1998 to 2016. Trajectories of SMI and objective cognitive decline were simultaneously characterized using a group-based trajectory model and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with the dual-trajectory typologies. Four dual-trajectories were identified: “minimal SMI and stable-low cognitive decline” (33.1% of respondents); “minimal SMI with accelerated cognitive decline” (28.2%); “significant SMI with moderate cognitive decline” (21.0%); and “moderate SMI with steady cognitive decline” (17.6%). Being male, minority, low educated, living alone, and having comorbidities were associated with trajectories featuring greater SMI or more rapid deterioration in cognition. The results suggest complex co-occurring changes in subjective memory and objective cognition in older adults.

Facilitators of Attendance and Adherence to Group-Based Physical Activity for Older Adults: A Literature Synthesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra J. de Lacy-Vawdon ◽  
Ruth Klein ◽  
Joanna Schwarzman ◽  
Genevieve Nolan ◽  
Renee de Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Literature Synthesis ◽  
Instructor Characteristics ◽  
The Cochrane Library

This review examines program features that influence attendance and adherence to group-based physical activity (PA) by older adults. Medline, PubMed, CINAHL plus, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies published from 1995–2016. Quantitative and qualitative studies investigating factors related to PA group attendance or adherence by persons aged 55 years and over were included. Searching yielded eight quantitative and 13 qualitative studies, from 2,044 titles. Quantitative findings identified social factors, instructor characteristics, PA types, class duration and frequency, and perceived PA outcomes as important for attendance and adherence, whilst qualitative studies identified settings, leadership, PA types, observable benefits, and social support factors. Studies were predominantly low- to moderate-quality. This review identified design and delivery considerations for group-based PA programs to inform best-practice frameworks and industry capacity building. Future research should use longitudinal and mixed-methods designs to strengthen evidence about facilitators of program reach and engagement.

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