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The Built Environment and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Partial and Absolute Sedentary Behaviours in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Accra, Ghana

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Abstract

This study examined built environmental and socio-demographic variables as correlates of sedentary behaviour in a population of older adults, and attempted to introduce the idea of measuring sedentary behaviour with two domains, namely ‘partial sedentary behaviour’ and ‘absolute sedentary behaviour’. The study’s population was community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or more in Accra, Ghana. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gather data from 504 older people. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to present findings, with all nominal categorical variables incorporated in this analysis dummy-coded. The overall (third) regression model accounted for a variance of 55.9% and a significant F-test [F (25,454) = 22.99; p < 0.001)]. Gender was positively associated with sedentary behaviour – the sedentary behaviour of women was 28 min in excess of that of men. Sedentary behaviour decreased as the social network size and supporting social network of older people increased. Sedentary behaviour decreased as availability of spacious road pavements, secure social recreational centres for older people, and health services in the community increased. The improvement of road safety conditions at the community level and design of the built environment to support social integration of older people are major recommendations of this study.

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Funding

This research was funded with resources contributed by the authors. Funding was not received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Africa Centre for Epidemiology, P.O. Box AN 18462, Accra North, Ghana

    Nestor Asiamah

  2. Department of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Carl Petersen

  3. Department of Health Management, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy

    Kyriakos Kouveliotis

  4. Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Africa Centre for Epidemiology, Accra, Ghana

    Richard Eduafo

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  1. Nestor Asiamah
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  2. Carl Petersen
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  3. Kyriakos Kouveliotis
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  4. Richard Eduafo
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Correspondence to Nestor Asiamah.

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Asiamah, N., Petersen, C., Kouveliotis, K. et al. The Built Environment and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Partial and Absolute Sedentary Behaviours in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Accra, Ghana. J Cross Cult Gerontol 36, 21–42 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-020-09417-5

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