Correlates of Physical Activity Among Low-Income Older Adults

Abstract

Little is known about physical activity (PA) behavior in low-income older adults, a population characterized by high levels of disease and impairments. The objective of this study is to identify health-related barriers associated with moderate PA in older adults covered by Medicaid. Data are from a survey of 490 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65. Ordinal regression was used to determine factors associated with PA. Results indicate that limitations in activities of daily living (OR = 0.11; CI = 0.03, 0.49), using mobility equipment (OR = 0.50; CI = 0.28, 0.88), hopelessness (OR = 0.39; CI = 0.17, 0.88), and low participation in social activities (OR = 0.50; CI = 0.28, 0.89) decreased the odds of engaging in PA. Health indicators related to PA in samples of older adults from the general population, including obesity, pain, and depression were not related to PA in this sample, suggesting that it is the impact of these conditions on functioning that poses the greatest risk to inactivity in older adults on Medicaid, rather than the conditions themselves.