Do Physical Activity-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Play a Role in the Elderly's Mental Health? A Cross-Sectional Study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA)-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) are important content of health management. We conducted this study to (a) describe PA-related KABs of Chinese older adults, and (b) examine the association between PA-related KABs and mental health.Methods: This study used data from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). 4048 residents aged 60 years and older were included as study subjects, assessing their PA-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and mental health. Comparison of PA-related KABs in urban and rural areas, as well as in different mental health groups were conducted using chi-square test. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the associations between PA-related KABs and mental health.Results: The proportion for knowing about the benefits of physical activity, knowing about appropriate exercise intensity, and knowing about healthy weight were 76.7%, 44.3%, and 75.4%, respectively. 89.2% of the participants hold positive attitude towards physical activity. 45.0%, 12.1%, and 12.9% of the participants reported preferring walking & Tai Chi, ball games, and body building, respectively. Participants in urban areas had significantly better PA-related KABs than those in rural areas (all p-values < 0.001). Adjusted ORs with 95% CI showed that participants who knew about the benefits of physical activity (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02-1.38); hold positive attitude towards physical activity (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.08-1.59); and reported preferring walking & Tai Chi (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.23-1.60), ball games (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.79), body building (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.09-1.63) had significant better mental health.Conclusions: Elderly residents in rural areas experienced significant poorer PA-related KABs than those in urban areas, especially for PA-related behaviors. Better PA-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were associated with higher mental health in Chinese elderly residents.