The Decline of Directly Observed Physical Function Performance Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Physical function decline is a major public health concern and can predict later mortality. This study aims to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with physical function decline among U.S. Chinese older adults through a longitudinal population-based study.

Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE) at two time points: 2011-2013 and 2013-2015. Physical function was measured by observed physical performance testing, including chair stand, tandem stand, and timed walk. Mixed-effect models were used to analyze the demographic risk factors associated with physical function decline.

Of the 2,713 participants in waves 1 and 2, their average age was 72.6 years old, 58.4% were female, with 8.7 years of education average, and 85.8% had an annual individual income of less than $10,000. Our findings show subjects of older age, female sex, lower education, lower income, and a greater number of medical comorbidities had lower physical function levels at baseline. Older adults experienced a faster decline in physical function for the overall performance measure (β = -.02, p < .001). Additionally, elderly adults with higher education have a faster decline of physical function in the overall performance measure (β = -.03, p < .01).

As the first to examine physical function decline among U.S. Chinese older adults, our study finds older age and higher education are two factors associated with a faster rate of physical function decline. In future research, long-term follow up and multiple waves of data are needed to investigate risk or resilience factors for disability or recovering from disability.