Racial/Ethnic and Income Differences in Obesity Among Older Adults: The Role of Leisure-time Physical Activity and Neighborhood Social Cohesion

J Phys Act Health. 2017 Mar;14(3):169-175. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2016-0370. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

Abstract

Background: Few studies have examined the associations among social cohesion, physical activity, and obesity in older adults. This study explored the influences of social cohesion and leisure-time physical activity on obesity in older adults, and tested whether these relationships varied by race/ethnicity and income level.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of adults in the 2013 National Health Interview Study (NHIS) who were over 65 years of age (N = 7714) was used. Logistic regressions were performed to examine the impacts of social cohesion and physical activity on obesity, and the relative risks (RR) were reported.

Results: The median age was 73 years old, and 59.8% of respondents were female; 23.8% met the recommended level of moderate physical activity. Neighborhood social cohesion was not associated with obesity for older adults. Meeting the recommended level of vigorous physical activity was related to a lower probability of obesity only for older Hispanic adults (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.50), while older adults were less likely to be obese if they met the recommended level of moderate physical activity.

Conclusions: Increasing the level of physical activity may profoundly reduce the probability of obesity for older adults. Moreover, the results implied the need for future physical activity interventions for minorities.

Keywords: income level; physical health; race/ethnicity; social capital.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Income*
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Obesity / ethnology
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Social Class*