Self-Reported Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural South Africa: Levels and Correlates

Abstract

Little is known about physical activity (PA) levels and correlates in adults from rural settings in South Africa, where a rapid increase in the number of older people and marked disparities in wealth are evident, particularly between those living in rural and urban areas. This paper describes levels of self-reported PA in rural South African men and women and examines factors associated with meeting PA guidelines. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) data from the Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal studies of INDEPTH communities (HAALSI) survey of 5059 adults aged over 40 years were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess socio-demographic, functional and cognitive capacity, and chronic disease measures associated with PA. In addition, 75.4% (n = 3421) of the participants with valid GPAQ data (n = 4538 of 5059) met the PA guidelines. Factors associated with not the meeting PA guidelines were being male, over the age of 80 years, being in a higher wealth category, obesity, and poorer functional capacity. These findings highlight worthwhile targets for future interventions to maintain or improve PA levels in this population and suggest that intervening earlier within this age range (from 40 years) may be crucial to prevent the ‘spiral of decline’ that characterizes the frailty syndrome.

Prevalence and socio-demographic associations of diet and physical activity risk-factors for cardiovascular disease in Bo, Sierra Leone

“…These findings from our study are reflective of current data and trends among adults across 22 SSA countries [63,67]. However, although the decline in physical activity with age is reflective of that seen in other populations, the levels of physical activity in older people in our sample are still higher than those seen in other populations in Africa [68]. Any proposed interventions relating to physical activity should consider age-adapted leisure activities to address physical inactivity across all age groups (more especially in older ages), and in those who are unemployed, retired or whose occupations do not involve physical activity.…”

Physical activity and posture profile of a South African cohort of middle-aged men and women as determined by integrated hip and thigh accelerometry

“…Findings from the HAALSI study in rural South African adults over the age of 40 years identified age as a significant correlate of self-reported physical activity with adults over the age of 70 years to be less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those between 40 and 49 years of age (52).…”

Physical Activity Behaviors of a Middle-Age South African Cohort as Determined by Integrated Hip and Thigh Accelerometry

“…In the current study, this seems to be more marked for both volume (ENMO) and higher-intensity physical activity (MVPA) in older men and women (between 60 and 72 yr of age). Findings from the Health and Aging in Africa: a longitudinal study of an INDEPTH community in South Africa study in rural South African adults older than 40 yr identified age as a significant correlate of self-reported physical activity with adults older than 70 yr to be less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those between 40 and 49 yr of age (50).…”