Physician Advice to the Elderly about Physical Activity

Abstract

Lack of physical activity is an increasing public-health problem. Physicians should counsel elderly patients to maintain regular physical activity in order to retain functionality and quality of life. This study examined the patterns of physician advice about physical activity in an elderly population. A homogeneous group of older adults living in public housing (N= 146) was surveyed to determine the extent to which they received such advice. Their mean age was 77.9 ± 7 years, 74% were women, 70.5% were White, and 53.4% had high school education or less. We assessed the association between physician counseling practices and the participants’ demographic characteristics, overweight status, and type of physical activity performed. The prevalence rate of physician counseling was 61.6%. Elderly men who were married and those who were overweight were most likely to receive advice. Routine physician counseling of elderly patients regardless of overweight status could contribute to improving their quality of life.

The influence of fitness on insulin resistance in obese children

“…This "lifestyle" approach is aimed at decreasing sedentary habits and incorporating more activity into our daily lives, such as taking stairs rather than elevators, walking and biking to school, if we are driven-park further away and spend a few minutes walking, use a exercise ball to sit on (rather than a chair) at a desk or other sedentary times. The literature supports that physician counseling is effective [78]. This can lower the barrier to participation, and promote a new important dialogue in children's health.…”

Do wearable activity trackers have a place in pharmacies?

“…6,9 Few patients know how to put that recommendation into practice. Pharmacists can fill that gap by talking with patients about the benefits of physical activity and the risks of sedentary behaviour and by offering simple interventions to boost activity levels.…”

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