Sedentary behavior and its determinants among Chinese older adults with hypertension: A cross-sectional study

Sedentary behavior is associated with poor health outcomes in elderly populations. However, the profile of sedentary behavior and its associated factors among older adults with hypertension-a subgroup particularly vulnerable to adverse health outcomes is less understood. It is crucial to identify these factors to develop effective interventions that improve health outcomes in this high-risk subgroup.

To investigate the sedentary behavior profile and its determinants in the elderly with hypertension.

This cross-sectional study included a total of 330 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) with hypertension who were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from October 2022 to May 2023. Data on sedentary behavior, exercise self-efficacy, exercise social support, and community walking environment were collected in addition to sociodemographic and clinical data. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with sedentary behavior.

The participants spent an average of 7.4 ± 1.86 hours/day engaged in sedentary behavior. Screen time was the most frequently reported sedentary activity, with an average of 4.3 ± 2.09 hours spent on screens per day. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that exercise self-efficacy (B = -0.03, P < 0.001), exercise social support (B = -0.03, P = 0.001), community walking environment (B = -0.03, P = 0.045) were negatively associated with total sedentary time. Those who were male, had higher education levels, had uncontrolled blood pressure, and had more comorbidities reported more total sedentary time.

Sedentary behavior is highly prevalent among older adults with hypertension. Exercise self-efficacy, exercise social support, and the lack of a community walking environment were associated with sedentary time, which provides clues for developing targeted interventions to reduce sedentary time for this high-risk population.