Prevalence and trends in physical activity among older adults in the United States: A comparison across three national surveys

Abstract

This paper examined how many older adults (65+years) are meeting physical activity (PA) Guidelines (PAG; 150min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA) using data from three leading national surveys (NHANES, BRFSS and NHIS). The proportion of individuals meeting aerobic PAG was determined for the most recent cycle available for each survey (NHANES 2011-12, NHIS and BRFSS 2013). We also assessed whether PAG adherence has changed over time. Predicted margins from multinomial logistic regression were computed after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and gender and sample weights. The proportion of older adults meeting PAG was 27.3% for NHANES, 35.8% for NHIS and 44.3% for BRFSS. Across all surveys, men reported higher levels of activity than women, Non-Hispanic whites reported higher levels than Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, activity declined with age and was lower in those with functional limitations, all P<0.05. The proportion of older adults meeting PAG in the NHIS survey, the only survey where PA questions remained the same over time, increased from 25.7% in 1998 to 35.8% in 2013 (P<0.01). Point-estimates for activity levels are different between surveys but they consistently identify sub-groups who are less active. Although older adults are reporting more activity over time, adherence to aerobic and strength training PAG remains low in this population and there is a need for effective interventions to prevent age-related declines in PA and address health disparities among older adults.

Figure 1. NHANES: Trends in leisure-time aerobic physical activity among older adults between 1999–2012

Note: Dashed lines indicate where the physical activity questions within the survey were changed. Values are adjusted means are predicted margins from multinomial regression models, adjusting for age (yrs), gender (male or female), and race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or other). Meeting Guidelines is reporting >150 min/wk of moderate activity and/or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity activity.

Figure 2. NHIS: Trends in leisure-time aerobic physical activity and strength training among older adults between 1998–2013

Note: Values are adjusted means are predicted margins from multinomial regression models, adjusting for age (yrs), gender (male or female), and race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or other). Meeting Guidelines is reporting >150 min/wk of moderate activity and/or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity activity.

Figure 3. BRFSS: Trends in leisure-time aerobic physical activity among older adults between 1994–2013

Note: Dashed lines indicate where physical activity questions within the survey were changed. Values are adjusted means are predicted margins from multiple regression models, adjusting for age (yrs), gender (male or female), and race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or other). Meeting Guidelines is reporting >150 min/wk of moderate activity and/or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity activity. No LTPA is from yes/no question “During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?”