Physical Activity and Inactivity Predictors of Life Satisfaction and Expectancy in Greek Older Adults: An Analysis from the SHARE Project (Wave 7)

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2022 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 9 Issue 4

Year of Publication : 2022

Authors : Eleni Theodoropoulou

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I4P107

How to Cite?

Eleni Theodoropoulou, "Physical Activity and Inactivity Predictors of Life Satisfaction and Expectancy in Greek Older Adults: An Analysis from the SHARE Project (Wave 7)," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 9,  no. 4, pp. 42-46, 2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I4P107

Abstract:

Studies have indicated that participation in physical activity (PA) enhances health, life satisfaction and expectancy. In contrast, physical inactivity (PI) has been identified as the fourth risk factor for global mortality. The current study investigated PA and PI levels in Greek older adults. It examined various demographic, PA, PI and other health-related predictors of life satisfaction and expectancy, analyzing data from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The SHARE is a cross-national database including individual data of non-institutionalized populations aged 50+ from 28 European countries. The current study analyzed the Greek sample participating in the SHARE “wave 7” research. In particular, the participants were 1.910 individuals, 816 men and 1.094 women (M=62.29, S=9.62 years). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to explore life satisfaction and expectancy predictors while controlling demographic variables. The 23.2%, 13.9%, 31.2% and 31.7% of the individuals participated in vigorous PA once a week, > once a week, 1- 3 times/month and never, respectively. In addition, 27.1%, 55.5%, 10% and 7.4% of the adults participated in moderate PA once a week, > once a week, 1-3 times/month and never, respectively. The predictors accounted for 31% and 37% of the variance in life satisfaction and expectancy, respectively. Age, health, depression, PI and vigorous PA significantly predicted life satisfaction, while age, health, depression and PI significantly predicted life expectancy. The findings demonstrated the relevance of reducing PI and depression and promoting health and PA to enhance life satisfaction and expectancy.

Keywords:

Physical activity, Sedentary, SHARE project, Life expectancy, Satisfaction with life.

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