Relationships of individual, social, and physical environmental factors with older adults' television viewing time.
Sedentary behaviors (involving prolonged sitting) can be associated detrimentally with health outcomes. Older adults, the most sedentary age group, are especially at risk due to their high levels of television viewing time. This study examined individual, social, and physical environmental correlates of older adults' television viewing. Data on daily television viewing time, plus individual, social, and physical environmental factors were collected from 50,986 noninstitutionalized older adults (≥ 65 years) in Flanders (Belgium). The results showed significant relationships between television viewing time and individual, social, and physical environmental factors. Subgroups at risk for high levels of television viewing were those who were functionally limited, less educated, widowed, and (semi)urban-dwelling older adults. Our findings illustrate a cross-sectional link between older adults' television viewing time and social composition of their neighborhood, formal participation, access to alternative activities, and safety from crime.
Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Belgium.
Jelle
J
Van Cauwenberg
Liesbeth
L
De Donder
Peter
P
Clarys
Ilse
I
De Bourdeaudhuij
Neville
N
Owen
Sarah
S
Dury
Nico
N
De Witte
Tine
T
Buffel
Dominique
D
Verté
Benedicte
B
Deforche
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001530:Belgium; D003256:Community Participation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*