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Physical Activity in Older Adults: An Investigation in a Metropolitan Area of Southern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Gallè

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Elita Anna Sabella

    (Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Giovanna Da Molin

    (Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Eduardo Alfonso Parisi

    (Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Giorgio Liguori

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Montagna

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Osvalda De Giglio

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Luca Tondini

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Giovanni Battista Orsi

    (Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Christian Napoli

    (Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) and exercise are fundamental to maintaining health in older adults. World Health Organization guidelines state that older adults should practice at least 150 min/week of moderate/vigorous intensity PA to obtain health benefits. We assessed PA levels among older adults in southern Italy and evaluated possible associated determinants. The study was carried out between September and November 2019 in the metropolitan area of Bari. We collected information from participants over 65 years using a self-administered questionnaire. We investigated associations between sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and inactivity/PA levels. A total of 383 individuals completed the questionnaire. Mean body mass index indicated that 45.4% of participants were overweight. Mean time spent in PA was 476.2 ± 297.8 min/week, with women reporting lower levels than men (370.8 ± 210 vs. 555.2 ± 334.3 min/week, p = 0.08). Weekly sitting time was positively related to age. Attending religious or recreational activities was related to moderate PA. Educational level was positively associated with PA while dog ownership represented an obstacle to achieving recommended PA levels in our population. Participants generally met the recommended levels of PA, especially men; the educational level was the main determinant. Interventions aimed at promoting PA among older adults with lower education levels and women are needed in this setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Giovanna Da Molin & Eduardo Alfonso Parisi & Giorgio Liguori & Maria Teresa Montagna & Osvalda De Giglio & Luca Tondini & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Christian Napo, 2020. "Physical Activity in Older Adults: An Investigation in a Metropolitan Area of Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1034-:d:317351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Li-Jung E. Ku & Sally C. Stearns & Courtney H. Van Houtven & Shoou-Yih D. Lee & Peggye Dilworth-Anderson & Thomas R. Konrad, 2013. "Impact of Caring for Grandchildren on the Health of Grandparents in Taiwan," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 68(6), pages 1009-1021.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Marco Di Muzio & Benedetta Barchielli & Giovanna Da Molin & Stefano Ferracuti & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Christian Napoli, 2022. "Capturing the Features of Physical Activity in Old Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of an Italian Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Paolo Roma & Stefano Ferracuti & Giovanna Da Molin & Giusy Diella & Maria Teresa Montagna & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Giorgio Liguori & Christian Napoli, 2021. "Knowledge and Lifestyle Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Pandemic in People over 65 Years Old from Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Rafael Zapata-Lamana & Felipe Poblete-Valderrama & Igor Cigarroa & María Antonia Parra-Rizo, 2021. "The Practice of Vigorous Physical Activity Is Related to a Higher Educational Level and Income in Older Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.

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