Less exercise and more TV: leisure-time physical activity trends of Shanghai elders, 1998-2008

Abstract

In comparison to 1998, for Shanghai elders, the trend for engaging in leisure-time habits not related to physical activity increased over time, becoming statistically significant in 2005 and 2008 (e.g. OR for watching TV in 2003, 2005 and 2008 is 1.04 [0.91, 1.19], 1.17 [1.00, 1.38] and 1.78 [1.51, 2.09], respectively). Simultaneously, the trend for engaging in regular exercise declined significantly in each observation year in comparison to 1998 (OR in 2003, 2005 and 2008 is 0.70 [0.61, 0.80], 0.36 [0.30, 0.42] and 0.28 [0.24, 0.33], respectively). Discussion An increasingly sedentary lifestyle has evolved over the past decade in Shanghai. This highlights a need for public health agencies to develop effective active lifestyle interventions and physical activity promotion programs for local elders.