Is Self-Reported Physical Activity Participation Associated with Lower Health Services Utilization among Older Adults? Cross-Sectional Evidence from the Canadian Community Health Survey

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To examine relationships between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and health services utilization (H) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.

Methods.

Cross-sectional data from 56,652 Canadian Community Health Survey respondents aged ≥ 50 years (48% M; 52% F; mean age 63.5 ± 10.2 years) were stratified into three age groups and analysed using multivariate generalized linear modeling techniques.

Participants were classified according to PA level based on self-reported daily energy expenditure.

Nonleisure PA (NLPA) was categorized into four levels ranging from mostly sitting to mostly lifting objects.

Results.

Active 50–65-year-old individuals were 27% less likely to report any GP consultations O R adj = 0.73 ; P < 0 .

001 and had 8% fewer GP consultations annually ( IR R adj = 0.92 ; P < 0 .

01 ) than their inactive peers.

Active persons aged 65–79 years were 18% less likely than inactive respondents to have been hospitalized overnight in the previous year ( O R adj = 0.82 , P < 0 .

05 ) .

Higher levels of NLPA were significantly associated with lower levels of HSU, across all age groups.

Conclusion.

Nonleisure PA appeared to be a stronger predictor of all types of HSU, particularly in the two oldest age groups.

Considering strategies that focus on reducing time spent in sedentary activities may have a positive impact on reducing the demand for health services.