[Typologies of people over 65 in Spain according to the European Health Survey]

Abstract

Introduction: Numerous organizations and institutions warn of the need for physical activity due to the multiple benefits it brings to the health of the population. In people over 65 years of age, doing some type of activity has a direct impact on healthy ageing.

Objective: To find out the state of health and physical activity of people over 65 years of age in Spain and to identify population typologies in order to establish specific health promotion strategies.

Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study using a sample formed by 7167 older adults with data collected during the years 2019 and 2020 from the European Health Survey in Spain. Sociodemographic variables related to physical activity and health status were selected. A latent class analysis was carried out to analyze characteristics in subgroups of the population over 65 years of age.

Results: Five population subgroups were found where only one, representing 21.35% of the older adult, had a good perception of their health and regularly engaged in physical activity.

Conclusion: Most of the Spanish population over 65 years, despite not suffering from limiting health problems, has high levels of sedentary lifestyles and obesity. It is necessary to promote healthy ageing policies taking into account the characteristics of the subgroups of the population over 65 years of age.

Keywords: Actividad física; Análisis de clases latentes; Encuesta Europea de Salud en España; European Health Survey in Spain; Health perception; Latent class analysis; Mayores de 65 años; Over-65s; Percepción de salud; Physical activity.