The Association Between Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Meeting the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults in the U.S.
Article
Sierra Tamargo, BR, Rodríguez de la Vega, P, Barengo, NC. (2026). The Association Between Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Meeting the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults in the U.S.
. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(3), 10.3390/ijerph23030344
Sierra Tamargo, BR, Rodríguez de la Vega, P, Barengo, NC. (2026). The Association Between Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Meeting the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults in the U.S.
. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(3), 10.3390/ijerph23030344
Sierra Tamargo, BR; Rodríguez de la Vega, P; Barengo, NC
abstract
Highlights: Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue? In older adults, physical inactivity is a public health issue because it increases the risk of older adults suffering from chronic diseases, falls, functional decline, and early mortality. This study highlights socioeconomic and sociodemographic determinants affecting older adults’ compliance with physical activity recommendations, highlighting how social and structural determinants of health influence their ability to engage in physical activity. Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health? This work is significant to public health because understanding which groups may be less likely to meet physical activity recommendations enables the creation of targeted interventions and prevention strategies to reduce the burden of disability, disease, and healthcare use in an aging population. It is also significant because it fills in a critical gap in U.S.-based public health research by focusing on older adults, a population of interest given the scarce research focus they receive, as well as by examining the socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors that influence their adherence to physical activity recommendations, an area that has not been thoroughly explored. Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policymakers, and/or researchers in public health? Interventions must be tailored to target the unique barriers faced by older adults with lower income, lower educational level, advanced age, and chronic conditions, among others, who are more affected to ensure equitable access to feasible, safe, and culturally appropriate physical activity opportunities. Policy efforts must address social determinants, including affordability, neighborhood resources, and access to supportive environments. At the same time, researchers should continue exploring other strategies that could encourage participation among the most vulnerable older adult populations. This study aimed to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with meeting the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines for older adults. This analytical, cross-sectional study used data from the 2022 NHIS, including 8189 older adults (≥65 years). Compliance with aerobic and strengthening PA guidelines was the main outcome variable. Covariates included sex, education, income, relationship status, race, housing stability, urban/rural county, health status, and region. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Only 14.4% (n = 1235) of older adults met the PA guidelines. Odds of complying decreased by 40% in NH single/multiple races (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–1.0). Men had higher odds (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.6) of adhering than women. Compared with those with a bachelor’s degree, the odds of adhering were 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.7) for graduate participants, 0.3 (95% CI 0.2–0.4) for participants with less than HS education, 0.4 (95% CI 0.3–0.5) for HS graduates, and 0.7 (95% CI 0.6–0.8) for those with some college education. The odds decreased by 40% for those with an income-to-poverty ratio threshold < 1 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.9), 1–1.99 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.7), and 2–3.99 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5–0.8) compared with ≥5. Healthcare providers should develop targeted interventions to address individuals’ unique circumstances and reduce these inequities.
