Are Older Adults without a Healthy Diet Less Physically Active and More Sedentary?

Abstract

Few studies on older populations consider several energy balance-related behaviors together. This cross-sectional study compared subjectively and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) patterns between older adults with and without a healthy diet. We recruited 127 community-dwelling older Taiwanese adults (69.9 ± 5.0 years); data were collected during April and September 2018. Objectively measured total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, light PA, step count, total sedentary time, duration of sedentary bouts, number of sedentary bouts, and number of sedentary breaks were assessed using activity monitors. Subjectively measured PA and SB were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire for Older Adults. Chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests were performed. For subjective measures, older adults without a healthy diet spent significantly less total leisure time on PA and more leisure sitting time than those with a healthy diet. For objective measures, older adults without a healthy diet spent less time on light PA and had a higher total sedentary time, duration of sedentary bouts, times of sedentary bouts, and times of sedentary breaks than those with a healthy diet. Regardless of the use of objective or subjective measurements, older adults without a healthy diet engaged in a more inactive and sedentary lifestyle. These findings have implications for health promotion practitioners in designing tailored interventions.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome in Older Adults

“…This result was consistent with a previous study in which as total LTPA increased, the adherence to MD did too [49]. Furthermore, it was found that older adults with unhealthy diet tended to engage in more inactive lifestyle than older adults with a healthy diet [50].…”

The combined effect of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake on decreasing cognitive decline in older Taiwanese adults

“…Evidence based on the medical Qigong and Tai-chi also shows that cognitive function improvement is related to the Chi-Kung practice, including hand-shaking moments 73 , 74 . PA with low intensity and resistance yielded less health-promoting effects; most elderly individuals were engaged in a more specific PA in parks or schools near their homes, and the intensity of PA was insufficient 75 , 76 . Nutrient supplements with fruits and vegetables are needed to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.…”

Independent and Joint Associations of Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior with Older Adults’ Lower Limb Strength

“…The recruitment was announced through local advertisements and notifications at health centers, and those interested in the study could contact the recruiters easily. Detailed information regarding the recruitment process has been presented elsewhere [20]. Physical performance, such as lower limb strength, was tested on-site by the interviewers.…”

“…The instruction "for example, three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day" according to Taiwanese dietary guidelines [30] was provided along with the question. This question represented the dietary behavior of consuming a balanced selection of foods, which was used widely in previous studies in relation to older adults in Taiwan [20,31,32].…”