Domain-specific and total sedentary behaviors associated with psychological distress in older adults

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressive Disorder

OBJECTIVE

Identifying risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) is necessary for suicide prevention. Associations between self-reported physical activity (PA) and sedentary time and SI in the general population have been found. The current study examines these associations in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) using objective measures of PA and sedentary time.

METHOD

Sedentary time and PA were measured with an activPAL inclinometer/accelerometer over 7 days in 52 adults with MDD. Presence and severity of SI was examined with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations between accelerometer-derived behaviors and SI classification in the full sample and a subsample experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE).

RESULTS

Sedentary time and PA measures were not significantly associated with SI in the full sample. In those experiencing an MDE, higher light ambulatory PA was associated with lower odds of reporting Low SI compared to None and for Moderate/High SI compared to None. Sedentary time was not significantly associated with SI severity.

CONCLUSION

Sedentary time and PA were not associated with SI severity, although results could be due to the small sample size. The small effect found for the subsample may suggest that low levels of light ambulatory PA may be a modifiable risk factor for SI during an MDE. We also demonstrated the feasibility of collecting objective data with accelerometers in this population. Future studies are needed to replicate findings to determine whether increasing light ambulatory PA could be useful in suicide prevention during an MDE.HighlightsLight physical activity was associated with lower odds of suicidal ideation.Suicidal ideation was not associated with sedentary or moderate-to-high activity.It is possible to collect objective data for adults with depression.

Profiles of sedentary behaviors in the oldest old: findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior is a significant health risk. Emerging research suggests that mentally active sedentary behaviors (e.g., computer use and reading) are associated with better health than mentally passive sedentary behaviors (e.g., watching TV). However, these relationships are not well established in the literature, and little is known about the oldest old (age ≥ 80).

AIMS

The aims of this study were to (1) identify distinct subgroups of oldest old adults based on six domains of sedentary behavior (watching TV, using a computer/tablet, talking to friends or family members, doing hobby or other activities, transportation, and resting/napping); and (2) compare health-related outcomes across identified subgroups, using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) dataset.

METHODS

Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct profiles of sedentary behavior. Design-based linear and logistic regressions were used to examine associations between different profiles and health outcomes, accounting for socio-demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 852 participants were included. We identified four profiles and named them based on total sedentary time (ST) and passive/active pattern: "Medium-passive", "High-passive", "Low", "High-mentally active". Compared to the "High-passive" group, "Low" group and "High-mentally active" group were associated with fewer difficulties with activities of daily living, fewer problems limiting activities and higher cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

This study, with a national representative sample of the oldest old population, suggests that both total ST and sedentary behavior pattern matter when evaluating health outcomes of being sedentary. Interventions should encourage oldest old adults to reduce ST and especially target mentally passive ST.

Are Reallocations between Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Associated with Better Sleep in Adults Aged 55+ Years? An Isotemporal Substitution Analysis

Physical activity has been proposed as an effective alternative treatment option for the increasing occurrence of sleep problems in older adults. Although higher physical activity levels are associated with better sleep, the association between specific physical activity intensities and sedentary behaviour (SB) with sleep remains unclear. This study examines the associations of statistically modelled time reallocations between sedentary time and different physical activity intensities with sleep outcomes using isotemporal substitution analysis. Device-measured physical activity data and both objective and subjective sleep data were collected from 439 adults aged 55+ years. Replacing 30 min of SB with moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) was significantly associated with an increased number of awakenings. Moreover, a reallocation of 30 min between light physical activity (LPA) and MVPA was significantly associated with increased sleep efficiency. Furthermore, reallocating 30 min of SB to LPA showed a significant association with decreased sleep efficiency. There were no significant associations of time reallocations for wake time after sleep onset, length of awakenings, and sleep quality. These results improve our understanding of the interrelationships between different intensities of movement behaviours and several aspects of sleep in older adults.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Total and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behavior in Latin America: A Population-Based Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behavior (SB). Methods: Cross-sectional findings are based on 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health. Data were collected between September 2014 and February 2015. Participants reported time spent in SB across specific domains. Sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic (SEL), and education level were used as sociodemographic indicators. Results: Participants spent a total of 373.3 min/day engaged in total SB. Men, younger adults, other ethnicities, higher SEL and educational level presented higher total SB when compared with women, older adults, white/Caucasian, and low SEL and educational level. Men spent more time on the playing videogames (b: 32.8: 95% CI: 14.6;51.1) and riding in an automobile (40.5: 31.3; 49.8). Computer time, reading, socializing or listening to music was higher in younger participants (<30 years) compared with those ≥50 years in the total sample. Compared to the low SEL and educational level groups, middle (11.7: 5.7; 17.6) and higher (15.1: 5.3; 24.9) SEL groups as well as middle (9.8: 3.6; 15.9) and higher (16.6: 6.5; 26.8) education level groups reported more time spent reading. Conclusion: Socio-demographic characteristics are associated with SB patterns (total and specific) across Latin American countries.

Domain-Specific and Total Sedentary Behavior Associated with Gait Velocity in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Physical Fitness

Although it has been well-documented that older adults spend a significant amount of time being sedentary and have slower gait velocity, little is known of how physical fitness mediates the association between them. The main purpose of this study was to explore whether objectively measured physical fitness mediates the association between domain-specific and total sedentary behavior and gait velocity. We recruited 120 older adults aged ≥ 60 years. Sedentary behavior was assessed by the Measure of Older Adults’ Sedentary Time questionnaire. We used a Zebris pressure platform to assess gait velocity. To assess the level of overall physical fitness, we summed the z-scores of seven tests: (1) waist circumference, (2) chair stand in 30 s, (3) arm curl in 30 s, (4) 2-min step test, (5) chair sit-and-reach test, (6) back scratch test, and (7) 8-foot up-and-go test. Overall physical fitness was obtained by summing up all physical test z-scores. Gait velocity was significantly associated with all domain-specific and total sedentary behavior (β = −0.04 to −0.35, p < 0.05). Overall physical fitness was significantly associated with all domain-specific and total sedentary behavior (β = −0.21 to −1.24, p < 0.001) and gait velocity (β = 0.23 to 0.24, p < 0.001). When physical fitness was put as the mediator, significant direct effects between sedentary behavior and gait velocity disappeared. Results indicate that physical fitness fully mediates the association between sedentary behavior and gait velocity in older adults.