title: Physical inactivity among older Canadian adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the substantial benefits of physical activity for healthy aging, older adults are considered the most physically inactive segment of the Canadian population. This paper examines leisure-time physical inactivity (LTPA) and its correlates among older Canadian adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We use data from the Canadian Community Health Survey with 45,265 individuals aged 50-79 years. A logistic regression is estimated and separate regressions are performed for males and females.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 50% of older Canadian adults are physically inactive. Higher odds of physical inactivity are found among current smokers (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.37-1.69), those who binge-drink (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.11-1.39), visible minorities (OR = 1.60, CI = 1.39-1.85), immigrants (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.02-1.25), individuals with high perceived life stress (OR = 1.48, CI = 1.31-1.66). We also find lower odds of physical inactivity among: males (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.83 to 0.96), those with strong social interaction (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.66-0.77), with general life satisfaction (OR = 0.66, CI = 0.58-0.76) and individuals with more education. Similar results are obtained from separate regressions for males and females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifying the correlates of LTPA among older adults can inform useful intervention measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and also with Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Sunday
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azagba
authors.forename: Mesbah Fathy
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sharaf
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055686:Metabolic Equivalent; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors