The Role of the Environment in Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Older Adults |
| |
| Authors: | Jennifer S Brach Gustavo J Almeida Subashan Perera Andrea Hergenroeder Mary P Kotlarczyk Bethany Barone Gibbs |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;2. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;3. Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;4. Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | To compare amounts of sedentary behavior and physical activity in adults residing in planned group residential settings to those residing in private homes, this study recruited 31 older adults who resided in planned group residential settings (n = 13) and in private homes (n = 18). Daily activities were measured using the SenseWear Armband for 7 days. Estimates of the duration of daily activities performed across sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous intensities were captured. It was found that participants in planned group residential settings were older (age 85.9 ± 3.5 vs. 78.3 ± 7.2; p = 0.001) and spent more time in sedentary behaviors (12.7 ± 1.5 vs. 11.3 ± 1.6; p = 0.02) than participants in private homes. The difference was attenuated slightly after controlling for age and wear time (adjusted difference 1.2 ± 0.6 hours, p = 0.06). Thus, adults residing in planned group residential settings, which provide supportive services, were more sedentary than adults residing in private homes. The environment in which older adults live may contribute to sedentary behavior. |
| |
| Keywords: | Sedentary environment planned group residential settings |
|
|
