Balancing Time for Health Behaviors: Associations of Time Perspective With Physical Activity and Weight Management in Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose To examine associations between time perspective and health promotion behaviors of physical activity and weight management. Design Quantitative cross-sectional. Setting This study is part of the Betula project on aging, memory, and dementia in Northern Sweden. Subjects 417 older adults aged between 55 and 85 years. Measures Swedish-Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory; Physical Activity in the past year, past week, and in comparison with others of similar age; Weight Management = Body Mass Index (BMI; kg/m2). Results After controlling for age, sex, and years of education, hierarchical linear regression indicated a Balanced Time Perspective was significantly associated with more physical activity in the past year ( P = .04), the past week ( P < .001), and in comparison with others ( P < .01). Past Negative time perspective was associated with less physical activity in the past year ( P = .03), and in comparison with others ( P = .03). Present Fatalistic was associated with less physical activity during the past week ( P = .03), and in comparison with others ( P = .01). Present Hedonistic was associated with more physical activity the past week ( P = .03), and in comparison with others ( P = .03). Past Negative was associated with higher BMI ( P = .02), and Future Negative were associated with lower BMI ( P = .01). Taken collectively, greater positivity and flexibility across time perspectives was associated with more physical activity, whereas negative oriented time perspectives related with less physical activity and poorer weight management. Conclusion Time perspective can be associated with health behaviors in older adults and have implications for health across the lifespan. Health promotion interventions may target older adults’ enjoyment of exercise and weight management in the present, rather than highlight potential negative health outcomes in the future.