The association between physical and sensory function, self-perceived health, and 24-hour activity patterns for older people: A compositional data analysis

Abstract

Background and objectives Older adults’ physical and sensory function and self-perceived health state are associated with their daily health behavior, such as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior (SEB), and sleep duration (SD), though most studies examine these independently, overlooking 24-hour interactions. This study aims to investigate the relationships between physical and sensory function (vision, hearing, activity limitations), self-perceived health and the pattern of 24-hour activity behaviors via compositional data analysis. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Compositional data analysis was employed to account for the inherently interdependent nature of these behaviors. Linear regression models were implemented, designating activity behaviors as the dependent variable and sensory/physical function as the independent variable. Results The results indicated that vision and hearing showed weaker and nonsignificant associations with activity behaviors. Activity limitations significantly influence health behavior patterns, with no limitations associated with more time in MVPA and less time in SEB and SD. Self-perceived health is significantly positively associated with more MVPA, while inversely associated with SEB and SD. Conclusion This study revealed that older adults with limitations in their daily activities showed the most sedentary daily activity pattern. Future research should develop targeted interventions to improve activity behaviors in this population.