Sedentary Behaviour Associated with Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Community- Dwelling Older Adults: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background The association between the level physical activity with frailty and depressive symptoms is not yet clear in the literature. The analysis of physical activity level may provide evidence of the factors that contribute to frailty and depressive symptoms among older adults. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity level (including sedentary behaviours) and both frailty and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and above. Physical activity level and sedentary behaviour were assessed with the Arabic version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Frailty was evaluated using the Arabic version of the FRAIL scale, and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. To examine the the association between physical activity level and both physical frailty and depressive symptoms, multinomial logistic regression model was used. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Results The prevalence of sedentary behaviour was 24.9% (n = 106), with higher prevalence observed in frail and pre-frail individuals. Sedentary physical activity level was associated pre-frailty and frailty (OR: 2.78; 95% CI [1.47,5.25], p = 0.002), (OR: 4.58; 95% CI [1.94,10.80], p = 0.001), respectively. Further, sedentary physical activity level was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (OR: 2.42; 95% CI [1.22,4.81], p = 0.011). Conclusion Sedentary physical activity level is more prevalent among older adults who have frailty symptoms. Both frailty and depressive symptoms is significantly associated with sedentary level of physical activity. Promoting physical activity should be considered to prevent frailty and reduce depressive symptoms in older adults.