Predictors of Sedentary Behavior in Elderly Koreans With Hypertension

Background: The older adults are the most sedentary of all age groups. Sedentary behavior is associated with the onset and exacerbation of hypertension and the deterioration of health in hypertensive patients. Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the level of sedentary behavior and to identify the factors predicting sedentary behavior in elderly Koreans with hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Three hundred six hypertensive elderly subjects who visited three public health centers in Korea for regular medical checkups completed self-report questionnaires on sedentary behavior, physical activity, empowerment, perceived health, depression, self-efficacy for physical activity, and social support for physical activity. Results: The participants spent an average of 8.59 hours a day in sedentary behavior. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that sedentary behavior was significantly predicted by empowerment level, perceived health, time since diagnosis of hypertension, vigorous-intensity physical activity, and depression. These variables explained 42.6% of the variance in sedentary behavior. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: To reduce sedentary behavior in this population, future interventions should improve empowerment and perceived health, increase the intensity of physical activity, and alleviate depression while considering the duration of disease.