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Self-Reported Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural South Africa: Levels and Correlates

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  • Simone A. Tomaz

    (Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Justine I. Davies

    (Institute for Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
    MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7602, South Africa)

  • Lisa K. Micklesfield

    (SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Alisha N. Wade

    (MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Kathleen Kahn

    (MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Stephen M. Tollman

    (MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Catherine E. Draper

    (Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Miles D. Witham

    (MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    AGE Research Group, NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

Little is known about physical activity (PA) levels and correlates in adults from rural settings in South Africa, where a rapid increase in the number of older people and marked disparities in wealth are evident, particularly between those living in rural and urban areas. This paper describes levels of self-reported PA in rural South African men and women and examines factors associated with meeting PA guidelines. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) data from the Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal studies of INDEPTH communities (HAALSI) survey of 5059 adults aged over 40 years were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess socio-demographic, functional and cognitive capacity, and chronic disease measures associated with PA. In addition, 75.4% ( n = 3421) of the participants with valid GPAQ data ( n = 4538 of 5059) met the PA guidelines. Factors associated with not the meeting PA guidelines were being male, over the age of 80 years, being in a higher wealth category, obesity, and poorer functional capacity. These findings highlight worthwhile targets for future interventions to maintain or improve PA levels in this population and suggest that intervening earlier within this age range (from 40 years) may be crucial to prevent the ‘spiral of decline’ that characterizes the frailty syndrome.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone A. Tomaz & Justine I. Davies & Lisa K. Micklesfield & Alisha N. Wade & Kathleen Kahn & Stephen M. Tollman & Catherine E. Draper & Miles D. Witham, 2020. "Self-Reported Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural South Africa: Levels and Correlates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6325-:d:406399
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Collin F. Payne & Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé & Kathleen Kahn & Lisa Berkman, 2017. "Physical Function in an Aging Population in Rural South Africa: Findings From HAALSI and Cross-National Comparisons With HRS Sister Studies," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(4), pages 665-679.
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