Physical Activity Level and its Related Factors Among Older Adults Living in an Urban Area, Vajira Hospital
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Thailand’s aging population faces increasing illness risks due to declining physical health. Regular physical activity is crucial for prevention and treatment, offering enhanced longevity and quality of life. Recognizing and promoting physical activity among older adults is vital to counter aging-related health issues. This study aimed to assess physical activity levels and associated factors among older urban adults, at Vajira Hospital.
Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study
Methods: The study involved 153 volunteers aged 60 and above from Vajira Hospital’s Family Medicine Clinic and Urban Primary Care Unit, conducted from September to December 2023. Participants were assessed using the Thai version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ version 2) and interviewed about factors influencing physical activity, including sociodemographic, health, daily activities, social, and environmental elements. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression, with significance at p < 0.05.
Results: Only 40.5% of participants engaged in sufficient physical activity, primarily for transportation (62.1%). They spent an average of 247.06 ± 138.75 minutes daily in sedentary behavior. Significant factors influencing physical activity included body mass index, hypertension, community engagement, and local weather conditions.
Conclusions: Urban older adults at Vajira Hospital demonstrated low physical activity levels. Public health personnel should prioritize interventions that promote structured exercise routines, community participation, and physical health monitoring to maintain and improve the older adult’s health and life quality.
Keywords: physical activity level, urban area
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The content and information in articles published in the PCFM journal are solely the opinions and responsibilities of the authors. The journal's editorial board does not necessarily agree with or share any responsibility for them.
All articles, information, content, images, etc., published in the PCFM journal are the copyright of the PCFM journal. If any individual or organization wishes to reproduce, distribute, or use any part or the entirety of the content, they must obtain written permission from the PCFM journal beforehand.
References
มูลนิธิสถาบันวิจัยและพัฒนาผู้สูงอายุไทย (มส.ผส.). สถาน-การณ์ผู้สูงอายุไทย พ.ศ.2564. นครปฐม: สถาบันวิจัยประชากรและสังคม มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล; 2565.
วิชัย เอกพลากร, หทัยชนก พรรคเจริญ และ วราภรณ์ เสถียรนพเก้า. การสำรวจสุขภาพประชาชนไทยโดยการตรวจร่างกาย ครั้งที่ 6 พ.ศ. 2562-2563. มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล, สถาบันวิจัยระบบสาธารณสุข, กระทรวงสาธารณสุข; 2564.
Organization WH. Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world Geneva: World Health Organization [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2023 4 April]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241514187
Organization WH. Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-2020 Geneva: World Health Organization [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2023 4 April]. Available from: https://www.who.int/southeastasia/publications-detail/9789241506236
WHO. Physical activity [Internet] 2023 [cited 2023 4 April]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/.
ปารมี มุสิกรัตน์, ฉัตรสุดา ศรีบุรี, อรอุมา บุณยารมย์, กนกวรรณ ศรีสุภรกรกุล. ระดับกิจกรรมทางกายและปัจจัย ที่สัมพันธ์กับระดับกิจกรรมทาง กายในผู้สูงอายุที่อาศัยในชุมชน เขตสุขภาพที่ 2. เวชสารแพทย์ทหารบก 2564;74:67-84.
ธีรนุช ชละเอม. ปัจจัยที่สัมพันธ์กับกิจกรรมทางกายของผู้สูงอายุในชุมชนตำบลบางกระสออำเภอเมือง จังหวัดนนทบุรี [วิทยานิพนธ์ (พย.ม.) มหาวิทยาลัยบูรพา, 2560]. คณะพยาบาลศาสตร์ จันทบุรี: มหาวิทยาลัยบูรพา; 2560.
ราชวิทยาลัยแพทย์เวชศาสตร์ครอบครัวแห่งประเทศไทย. คู่มือเยี่ยมบ้านผู้สูงอายุ. นครปฐม: ราชวิทยาลัยแพทย์เวชศาสตร์ครอบครัวแห่งประเทศไทย; 2561.
WHO. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) analysis guide [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 April 4]. Available from: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/resources/GPAQ_Analysis_Guide.pdf
Visuthipanich V. Psychometric Testing of GPAQ among the Thai Population. Health Science Journal. 2016;11:144-52.
Kitreerawutiwong N, Keeratisiroj O, Mekrungrongwong S. Factors that influence physical activity among older adults living in rural community in Wangthong District, Phitsanulok, Thailand. SAGE Open. 2021;11:21582440211061368.
Ethisan P, Somrongthong R, Ahmed J, Kumar R, Chapman RS. Factors related to physical activity among the elderly population in rural Thailand. J Prim Care Community Health. 2017;8:71-6.
Muntner P, Gu D, Wildman RP, Chen J, Qan W, Whelton PK, et al. Prevalence of physical activity among Chinese adults: results from the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia. Am J Public Health. 2005;95:1631-6.
Arnadottir SA, Gunnarsdottir ED, Lundin-Olsson L. Are rural older Icelanders less physically active than those living in urban areas? A population-based study. Scand J Public Health. 2009;37:409-17.
Ng SW, Norton EC, Popkin BM. Why have physical activity levels declined among Chinese adults? Findings from the 1991–2006 China Health and Nutrition Surveys. Soc Sci Med. 2009;68:1305-14.
Warburton DER, Bredin SSD. Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2017;32:541-56.
Diez Roux AV, Evenson KR, McGinn AP, Brown DG, Moore L, Brines S, et al. Availability of recreational resources and physical activity in adults. Am J Public Health. 2007;97:493-9.
Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Cmaj. 2006;174: 801-9.
Netz Y, Wu MJ, Becker BJ, Tenenbaum G. Physical activity and psychological well-being in advanced age: a meta-analysis of intervention studies. Psychol Aging. 2005;20:272-84.
Broderick L, McCullagh R, Bantry White E, Savage E, Timmons S. Perceptions, Expectations, and Informal Supports Influence Exercise Activity in Frail Older Adults. SAGE Open. 2015;5:2158244015580850.
Geffen LN, Kelly G, Morris JN, Howard EP. Peer-to-peer support model to improve quality of life among highly vulnerable, low-income older adults in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:279. PubMed PMID: 31640576
Davis MG, Fox KR, Hillsdon M, Sharp DJ, Coulson JC, Thompson JL. Objectively measured physical activity in a diverse sample of older urban UK adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43:647-54.
McKee G, Kearney PM, Kenny RA. The factors associated with self-reported physical activity in older adults living in the community. Age and Ageing. 2015;44:586-92.
Ball K, Crawford D, Owen N. Obesity as a barrier to physical activity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2000;24:331-3.
Pansakun N, Kantow S. The relationship between personal factors and physical activity levels among patients with non-communicable diseases, Phrae Province. Journal of Research in Nursing-Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2020;40:66-82.
Vance DE, Ross LA, Ball KK, Wadley VG, Rizzo M. Correlates of individual physical activities in older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging. 2007;31:1-21.
Aspvik NP, Viken H, Ingebrigtsen JE, Zisko N, Mehus I, Wisløff U, et al. Do weather changes influence physical activity level among older adults?-The Generation 100 study. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0199463. PubMed PMID: 29979711
