Objectives: To compare amounts of sedentary behavior and physical activity in adults residing in planned group residential settings to those residing in private homes.
Methods: Thirty-one older adults who resided in planned group residential settings (n=13) and in private homes (n=18) participated. Daily activities were measured using the Sensewear Armband for 7 days. Estimates of the duration of daily activities performed across sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous intensities were captured.
Results: Participants in planned group residential settings were older (age 85.9±3.5 vs 78.3±7.2; p=0.001) and spent more time in sedentary behaviors (12.7±1.5 vs 11.3±1.6; p=0.02) than participants in private homes. The difference was attenuated slightly after controlling for age and wear time (adjusted difference 1.2±0.6 hours, p=0.06).
Discussion: Adults residing in planned group residential settings, which provide supportive services, were more sedentary than adults residing in private homes. The environment in which older adults live may contribute to sedentary behavior.
Keywords: environment; planned group residential settings; sedentary.