[Leisure-time physical exercise and sedentary behavior among Chinese elderly, in 2010]

To describe the prevalence of leisure-time physical exercise and sedentary behavior among Chinese elderly.

A face-to-face questionnaire survey was carried out in Disease Surveillance Points System (DSPs) and Nonger county in Xinjiang autonomous region to collect information on non-communicable diseases related risk factors. Information on frequency and duration of leisure-time moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity was collected by Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select individuals aged 18 and over to be interviewed. A total of 15 193 individuals aged 60 and over were included in the analysis. Sample was weighted to represent the population of Chinese elderly. We analyzed the percentages of those who did not engage in leisure-time moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity, those who engaging in leisure-time moderate-intensity at least 30 minutes per day and at least three days per week or equivalent (regular exercise) and those who engaged in leisure-time moderate-intensity at least 30 minutes per day and at least five days per week or equivalent (active exercise). Sedentary time and time spending on watching television were also analyzed.

Percentage of those who did not engage in leisure-time physical activity was 85.4% (95% CI:83.5%-87.3%)among Chinese elderly. Chinese elderly exhibited low prevalence of leisure-time activity with 12.0% (95%CI:10.0%-13.1%)for regular exercise and with 9.9% (95%CI: 8.5%-11.3%) for active exercise. Elderly living in urban areas engaged more regular exercise (23.8%, 95%CI:20.7%-26.9%) or active exercise (20.5%, 95%CI:17.9%-23.1%) than those living in rural areas(P < 0.05). Elderly with higher education or higher household income exhibited higher prevalence of leisure-time physical activity when compared to those with lower education or lower income (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Chinese elderly spent 4.2 hours (95%CI:4.1-4.4 hours) per day in sedentary behaviors and 105.1 minutes (95%CI:100.6-109.6 minutes) per day in watching television (P < 0.05). Those living in urban areas, with higher education or higher household income would spend more time in sedentary behaviors or watching television, compared to those living in rural areas, with lower education or lower income (P < 0.05).

Low prevalence in leisure-time physical exercise appeared in the Chinese elderly, especially in those living in the rural areas.