Gender and income associations in physical activity and blood pressure among older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine physical activity (PA) in multiple contexts (household, walking, and leisure-time PA) and blood pressure (BP) across gender and income among older adults living independently.
METHODS: A convenience sample of 372 older adults completed 2 BP measurements and PA questionnaires.
RESULTS: Older adults with high incomes (≥$30,000) engaged in less household activity, more leisure time PA and better controlled their BP than those with low incomes (<$30,000). Men walked more than women. Older women in the low-income group had less controlled BP than those women in the high-income group. Participants with normal or controlled BP were engaged in more household and walking activities than those with uncontrolled BP.
CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that older men and women at high or low-income levels have different mode of PA and BP management that should be considered for intervention strategies. ©2011 Human Kinetics, Inc.