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The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults

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  • Hsin-Yu An

    (Tribal Health Center, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan
    Hsin-Yu An and Wei Chen had the equal contribution as the co-first authors.)

  • Wei Chen

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan
    Hsin-Yu An and Wei Chen had the equal contribution as the co-first authors.)

  • Cheng-Wei Wang

    (Health Business Development Center, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Hui-Fei Yang

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Wan-Ting Huang

    (Clinical Medicine Research Center, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Sheng-Yu Fan

    (Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan)

Abstract

Physical activity has benefits on physical and psychological health. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the relationships between physical activity and life satisfaction and happiness in young, middle-aged, and older adults while controlling for demographic characteristics, and (2) the relationships between age and life satisfaction and happiness for different physical activity levels. A total of 2345 healthy adults were recruited. Demographic characteristic, physical activity, life satisfaction, and happiness were collected. Participants were divided into young, middle-aged, and older adult groups based on age, and physical activity was categorized as high, moderate, and low. After controlling for demographic characteristics, participants with high and moderate activity levels had significantly higher life satisfaction and happiness than those with a low activity level across the total population and the three age groups. Age squared was a significant predictor of a positive curvilinear between age and life satisfaction and happiness. Physical activity was significantly related to life satisfaction and happiness in young, middle-aged, and older adults. In addition, life satisfaction and happiness increased with increasing age. The results support the promotion of physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsin-Yu An & Wei Chen & Cheng-Wei Wang & Hui-Fei Yang & Wan-Ting Huang & Sheng-Yu Fan, 2020. "The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:13:p:4817-:d:380318
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