Message sent, message received: Exploring the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans information available to older adults (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M Harden ◽  
Anna Murphy ◽  
Kathryn Ratliff ◽  
Laura E Balis

BACKGROUND More attention has been given to researchers’ role in dissemination than to information-seeking practices of lay audiences to date. In particular, older adults’ interactions with online platforms for health-related information was nascent. This may be part of the reason only 13% of Americans aged 65+ years are meeting physical activity recommendations, with approximately the same low compliance rate worldwide. OBJECTIVE To determine what information was readily available (i.e., open access) to older adults who may casually search the internet for physical activity recommendations. METHODS Engaged in a 6-part scoping review to determine the research question, available evidence, and extract data within open-access top hits using popular online search engines. Results were categorized by a dissemination model that has categories of: sources, channels, audience, and messages. RESULTS After the iterative search process, 92 unique articles were included and coded. Only 5% cited physical activity guidelines, and 90% were coded as promoting healthy aging and positive framing. Most articles were posed as educational, but the authors’ credentials were rarely reported (i.e., reported 22% of the time). Muscle strengthening and balance components of the physical activity guidelines for older adults were rarely reported (78%, 86%) or inaccurately reported (3%, 3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Inconsistent messages lead to mistrust of science and public health representatives. This work highlights the lack of evidence within existing open access resources. Further efforts are needed to ensure evidence-based public health messages are in the sources and channels older adults are using to inform their knowledge and behaviors. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Author(s):  
Vítor Häfele ◽  
César Augusto Häfele ◽  
Jeferson Santos Jerônimo ◽  
Rodrigo Wiltgen Ferreira ◽  
Steve Anthony Maravillo ◽  
...  

Introduction: Health behaviors are fundamental for healthy aging. In this sense, the practice of physical activity is one of the most beneficial factors for the health of individuals. Objective: To describe the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity among the older adults and analyze in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, national regions, Federative Units of Brazil, and types of physical activity practiced. Methods: Study utilizing data from the Brazilian National Health Survey - 2013. Leisure-time physical activity was analyzed with two distinct cutoff points: 1) Some physical activity - 10 or more minutes/week; 2) Meeting recommended 150 minutes/week of physical activity. Results: Nearly 21% of the older adults completed some physical activity, and 13.2% reached the physical activity recommendations. There was no difference in the prevalence of physical activity between men and women. Individuals aged 60-69 years and those with higher income were more active than their peers. As for the national regions, the North had the lowest prevalence of physically active older adults. Among all regions, walking was the most frequent form of physical activity practiced. Conclusion: The prevalence of older adults who practiced some physical activity and reached the physical activity recommendations was low, with walking being the most common form of physical activity. Older adults with higher age, low socioeconomic status and from the Northern Brazilian regions were the least active.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline A. Macera ◽  
Alyson Cavanaugh ◽  
John Bellettiere

Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle for all adults and especially for older adults. Using information from the updated 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines, 3 dimensions of physical activity are identified for older adults. These include increasing aerobic activity, increasing muscle-strengthening activity, and reducing sedentary or sitting behavior. Although the overall goal of the physical activity recommendations is to prevent chronic diseases and conditions from developing, many older adults are already affected. Therefore, suggested types of physical activity are described for specific diseases and conditions that are designed to mediate the condition or prevent additional disability. Finally, barriers to participation in physical activity specific to older adults are described, and possible solutions offered. Encouraging older adults to continue or even start a physical activity program can result in major health benefits for these individuals.


Author(s):  
Masaki Machida ◽  
Tomoko Takamiya ◽  
Noritoshi Fukushima ◽  
Yuko Odagiri ◽  
Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽  
...  

We aimed to clarify the patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the Japanese adult population, and the proportion of people meeting the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans, second edition (2nd PAG; ≥150 min/week of total MVPA including bouts of any length) and those meeting the previously recommended PAG (2008-PAG; of ≥150 min/week of total MVPA lasting 10 min or longer [long-bout MVPA]). A total of 204 adults (aged 18 to 64 years) from two workplaces were asked to wear an accelerometer. MVPA was classified by bout length, and the proportion of long-bout MVPA was clarified. The proportion of participants adhering to the 2008-PAG and the 2nd PAG recommendations was calculated. Valid data was obtained from 184 adults. Long-bout MVPA accounted for 13.4% of total MVPA. Our results showed that 12.5% of individuals performed MVPA as recommended by the 2008-PAG whereas 92.4% performed MVPA as recommended by the 2nd PAG. Our results, hence, showed that long-bout MVPA comprised only a small proportion of total MVPA, and the proportion of individuals who satisfied the criteria stated in the guidelines (≥150 min/week) significantly changed by whether or not bout length of MVPA was taken into account.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Netz ◽  
Rebecca Goldsmith ◽  
Tal Shimony ◽  
Yosefa Ben-Moshe ◽  
Aviva Zeev

The trend of extended life expectancy along with a sedentary lifestyle is typical in Western cultures.Objective:To explore adherence to physical activity recommendations in older adults in Israel.Methods:A random sample of 1,536 Jews and 316 Arabs age 65+ were interviewed and divided into sufficiently active, insufficiently active, and inactive groups based on official guidelines.Results:Only 36.4% of the Jewish sector and 19.6% of the Arab sector are sufficiently active. Men are more active than women, the secular are more active than the religious among both Jews and Arabs, and more years of education, a higher income, and fewer diseases and medications are related to higher levels of physical activity.Discussion:To slow down biological age decline with physical activity, intervention programs specifically tailored for culturally diverse groups are suggested—for example, recruiting prominent religious leaders to promote physical activity in religious populations.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
F. Xu ◽  
S.A. Cohen ◽  
I.E. Lofgren ◽  
G.W. Greene ◽  
M.J. Delmonico ◽  
...  

Background: Physical activity reduces the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association between different physical activity levels and MetS remains unclear in older adults with obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study used four waves of data (2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014) from two datasets: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and United Sates Department of Agriculture’s Food Patterns Equivalents Database. The sample included adults 60+ years of age (n= 613) with obesity who had physical activity and MetS data. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and categorized into three physical activity levels (low, medium, and high); and medium or high physical activity levels are aligned with or exceed current physical activity recommendations. Participants were classified as having MetS using a commonly agreed upon definition. Multiple logistic regression models examined the association between the three physical activity levels and MetS risk factors and MetS. All analyses adjusted for potential confounding variables and accounted for complex sampling. Results: Of 613 respondents, 72.1% (n=431) were classified as having MetS, and 44.3% (n = 263) had not met physical activity recommendations. Participants with high levels of physical activity had a lower risk of MetS (OR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.72) and more healthful levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.18, 0.84), blood pressure (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.77), fasting glucose (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.15, 0.78) than participants categorized as having low physical activity. Conclusions: Physical activity is associated with lower risk of MetS only for participants with the highest level of physical activity, which suggests that physical activity dosage is important to reduce MetS risk in older adults with obesity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Hend Al_Madani

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the most crucial global problems in spite of the approved impact of physical activity in enhancing health and preventing NCDs, osteoporosis and many other diseases. Thus, WHO encouraged the countries to set their own physical activity guidelines based on the international physical activity recommendations, however, many countries do not have their national Physical activity recommendations such as Yemen in Eastern Mediterranean Region.Objectives: To suggest proper physical activity recommendations for adults in Yemen based on physical activity recommendations in different countries in WHO regions particularly the Eastern Mediterranean Region.Discussion: Prevalence of national physical activity guidelines and physical activity factors vary among WHO regions. The absence of physical activity recommendations and statistical data in Yemen is obvious and surveillance using validated tools should be done to assess the recent PA and related factors. However, although Yemen has its own issues such as Khat chewing habit and conflict, it shares many factors with other Eastern Mediterranean Region countries in general and Qatar in particular such as unsupportive physical activity environment and limited outdoor activities for women. Conclusion:  Qatar national physical activity guidelines can be suggested as applicable and affordable guidelines for adults in Yemen. According to Qatar guidelines, adults should do (30–60) min of moderate exercise ≥ 5 days per week or (20–60) min of vigorous exercise for ≥3 days per week and in case of promoting or maintaining weight loss, they should do (50-60) minutes daily exercise. Many studies should be done to assess recent physical activity and related barriers to draw evidence-based physical activity guidelines for adults in Yemen.Background: Physical inactivity is one of the most crucial global problems in spite of the approved impact of physical activity in enhancing health and preventing NCDs, osteoporosis and many other diseases. Thus, WHO encouraged the countries to set their own physical activity guidelines based on the international physical activity recommendations, however, many countries do not have their national Physical activity recommendations such as Yemen in Eastern Mediterranean Region.Objectives: To suggest proper physical activity recommendations for adults in Yemen based on physical activity recommendations in different countries in WHO regions particularly the Eastern Mediterranean Region.Discussion: Prevalence of national physical activity guidelines and physical activity factors vary among WHO regions. The absence of physical activity recommendations and statistical data in Yemen is obvious and surveillance using validated tools should be done to assess the recent PA and related factors. However, although Yemen has its own issues such as Khat chewing habit and conflict, it shares many factors with other Eastern Mediterranean Region countries in general and Qatar in particular such as unsupportive physical activity environment and limited outdoor activities for women. Conclusion:  Qatar national physical activity guidelines can be suggested as applicable and affordable guidelines for adults in Yemen. According to Qatar guidelines, adults should do (30–60) min of moderate exercise ≥ 5 days per week or (20–60) min of vigorous exercise for ≥3 days per week and in case of promoting or maintaining weight loss, they should do (50-60) minutes daily exercise. Many studies should be done to assess recent physical activity and related barriers to draw evidence-based physical activity guidelines for adults in Yemen.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 604-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Slaght ◽  
Martin Sénéchal ◽  
Danielle R. Bouchard

Walking cadence is a new monitoring strategy used to increase bouts of time at moderate intensity. Inactive older adults were instructed to walk 150 min per week at no specified intensity during phase one. In phase two, the intervention group (N = 23) received instructions on how to reach moderate intensity, using a pedometer and an individualized walking cadence, while the control group (N = 22) did not. The main outcomes were time at moderate intensity and moderate intensity in 10-min bouts. During phase two only the intervention group increased time at moderate intensity and moderate intensity in 10-min bouts compared with phase one and compared with the control group (p ≤ .01). Older adults can increase time walked at moderate intensity in 10-min bouts weekly by using individually prescribed walking cadence, a pedometer to track intensity, and practicing walking at this cadence.


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