Planning for a Healthy Aging Program to Reduce Sedentary Behavior: Perceptions among Diverse Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Reducing prolonged sedentary behavior is crucial for older adults' health and functional independence.
• Community programs can enhance physical activity promotion by incorporating older adults' views on sedentary behavior and aging.
• Understanding these perspectives is key to designing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore community-dwelling older adults' perceptions of sedentary behavior.
• To understand how sedentary behavior influences their concept of healthy aging.
• To inform the development of targeted health promotion strategies.

Main Methods:

• Six focus groups were conducted with 46 diverse older adults in New York City senior centers.
• Participants completed questionnaires on activity patterns, health status, and sedentary behaviors.
• Qualitative analysis used inductive and deductive approaches within an ecological framework.

Main Results:

• Participants acknowledged the physical detriments of prolonged sedentary time.
• Many routine sedentary activities were perceived positively, offering psychological, cognitive, or social benefits.
• Awareness of risks did not always translate to behavior change due to perceived value.

Conclusions:

• Older adults' perceptions of sedentary behavior are complex, balancing awareness of risks with perceived benefits.
• Interventions should acknowledge and address the psychological, cognitive, and social value attributed to routine sedentary activities.
• Findings can guide the creation of senior-center programs and messaging to effectively reduce sedentary behavior.