HOUSING TYPE IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN OBJECTIVELY MEASURED ANALYSIS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION
Coronavirus, Social distancing, Aging, Physical activity, Sedentary behavior
Purpose: To investigate the association between housing characteristics with objectively measured changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension.
Methods: Thirty-five older adults with hypertension were included in this study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before and during a period of social distancing policy imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing type, housing surface area and household size were tested as predictors of changes in PA and SB. A generalized linear mixed model was used for the analysis.
Results: Housing type was associated with changes in PA and SB. Individuals living in an apartment showed a greater decrease in light PA on weekdays (β = –65.0 min/day, p = 0.035) and a trend for an increase in SB (β = 55.1 min/day, p = 0.056) compared to those living in a detached house. Individuals living in a row house showed a greater decrease in moderate-vigorous PA (β = –9.7 min/day, p = 0.037) and steps/day (β = –2064, p = 0.010) compared to those living in a detached house. Individuals living in an apartment showed a greater decrease in light PA on the weekends (β = –83.1 min/day, p = 0.015) and an increase in SB (β = 72.0 min/day, p = 0.036) compared to those living in a detached house. No association was found for housing surface area and household size.
Conclusions: Older adults with hypertension living in an apartment or row house have greater unhealthy changes in movement behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific home-based countermeasures should be considered for these more vulnerable individuals.