Leisure-time physical activity, sedentary behaviors and subjective well-being in older adults: An eight-year longitudinal study

This study aimed to assess the independent and prospective associations of aspects of self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and leisure-time sedentary behaviors (LTSB) with subjective well-being (SWB). Data from the 1999, 2003, and 2007 phases of the Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly conducted by the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare on a nationally representative sample of older Taiwanese were used. A fixed cohort of 1268 participants aged 70 years or older in 1999 with 8 years of follow-up was analyzed. Subjective well-being was assessed using the Life Satisfaction Index A. Frequencies per week of different types of LTSB and LTPA were self-reported. Generalized estimating equation models with multivariate adjustment for socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and health status were developed. Participants who had higher frequencies of LTPA and LTSB, especially engaging in walking, yard/gardening, group exercise, TV watching, social chatting and reading, recorded higher levels of well-being. This was supported by a sensitivity analysis after excluding participants with potential cognitive decline. This study indicated that both LTPA and aspects of LTSB in later life may provide beneficial effects for subsequent SWB.