Physical activity attitudes, beliefs, and practices among adults 50 and older: baseline community assessment

Int Q Community Health Educ. 2013;34(3):235-54. doi: 10.2190/IQ.34.3.c.

Abstract

This study aligned with the National Blueprint, a coalition of national organizations to identify the principal barriers to physical activity participation in older adults and to outline strategies for increasing physical activity levels. A community coalition took the initiative to conduct a baseline assessment of health attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among community adults in order to understand the immediate needs of the adult community. Adults 50 and older (N = 309) completed surveys of health and physical activity (PA) behaviors. Individuals reported below average physical activity levels. Motives and barriers to PA differed by gender and race/ethnicity. Age and health perceptions significantly predicted PA levels. Findings support previous research with this age group, thus discussion of the utility of multi-level approaches (e.g., social ecological model) to health betterment in communities is forwarded. Providing multi-level resources (personal, social, environmental, policy) can increase opportunities for adoption and maintenance of health behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index
  • Environment
  • Ethnicity
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation*
  • Perception*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Environment
  • Socioeconomic Factors