Davy Vancampfort1,2, Elvira Lara3,4, Lee Smith5, Simon Rosenbaum6,7, Joseph Firth8,9,10, Brendon Stubbs11,12, Mats Hallgren13, Ai Koyanagi3,14,15. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium. 3. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 5. Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. 6. School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 7. Black Dog Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 8. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. 9. Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 10. Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 11. Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. 12. Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. 13. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 14. Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 15. Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is widespread and associated with deleterious outcomes in middle-aged and older age people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity is one potential psychosocial strategy with the potential to reduce loneliness in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore associations between physical activity (PA) and loneliness in middle-aged and older people from six LMICs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analyzed. Self-reported data on loneliness and PA (as assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) were collected. Participants were dichotomized into those who do and do not meet the international recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA per week. Associations between loneliness and PA were examined using logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among 34 129 individuals aged 50 years or older, the prevalence of loneliness was higher among those not meeting the PA guidelines in all countries, although this difference was not significant in Mexico and South Africa. After full adjustment, not meeting PA guidelines was positively associated with loneliness in the meta-analysis based on country-wise estimates, with a moderate level of between-country heterogeneity being observed (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.61; I2 = 48.7%). At an individual country level, statistical significance was only reached in Ghana (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.44-2.49). DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that physical inactivity and loneliness commonly co-occur in adults aged 50 years or older in LMICs overall but that this association differs by country. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings and investigate potential mechanisms that may inform future interventions.
INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is widespread and associated with deleterious outcomes in middle-aged and older age people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity is one potential psychosocial strategy with the potential to reduce loneliness in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore associations between physical activity (PA) and loneliness in middle-aged and older people from six LMICs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analyzed. Self-reported data on loneliness and PA (as assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) were collected. Participants were dichotomized into those who do and do not meet the international recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA per week. Associations between loneliness and PA were examined using logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among 34 129 individuals aged 50 years or older, the prevalence of loneliness was higher among those not meeting the PA guidelines in all countries, although this difference was not significant in Mexico and South Africa. After full adjustment, not meeting PA guidelines was positively associated with loneliness in the meta-analysis based on country-wise estimates, with a moderate level of between-country heterogeneity being observed (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.61; I2 = 48.7%). At an individual country level, statistical significance was only reached in Ghana (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.44-2.49). DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that physical inactivity and loneliness commonly co-occur in adults aged 50 years or older in LMICs overall but that this association differs by country. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings and investigate potential mechanisms that may inform future interventions.
Authors: Mireya Zamora-Macorra; Elga Filipa Amorin de Castro; José Alberto Ávila-Funes; Betty Soledad Manrique-Espinoza; Ruy López-Ridaura; Ana Luisa Sosa-Ortiz; Pamela L Shields; Daniel Samano Martin Del Campo Journal: Arch Gerontol Geriatr Date: 2016-10-20 Impact factor: 3.250
Authors: Marko Elovainio; Christian Hakulinen; Laura Pulkki-Råback; Marianna Virtanen; Kim Josefsson; Markus Jokela; Jussi Vahtera; Mika Kivimäki Journal: Lancet Public Health Date: 2017-05-04
Authors: Razak M Gyasi; Prince Peprah; Kabila Abass; Lawrencia Pokua Siaw; Yvonne Dodzi Ami Adjakloe; Emmanuel Kofi Garsonu; David R Phillips Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2022-01-29