Sitting time and associated factors in older adults in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sitting time and to explore relationships with socio demographic, BMI, well-being, and health risk behaviour variables among older South Africans, This analysis is based on data from a national population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2008, the Study of Global Ageing and Adults Health (SAGE), with a probability sample of 3840 aged 50 years and older South Africans. The primary outcome was sitting time. The exposures assessed included: socio-demographic characteristics, health variables, physical activity, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Results indicate that the mean reported sitting time was 195 minutes/day (SD=143), and the median sitting time was 180.00 minutes/day. In multivariate logistic regression older age, activity limitation, and low quality of life were associated with high sitting time. In addition, in bivariate analysis poorer cognitive functioning was associated with high sitting time. The results may help to identify older adults that should be targeted in interventions aiming at reducing sitting time.