Correlates of physical activity among middle-aged and older adults with hazardous drinking habits in six low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

We investigated physical activity (PA) correlates among middle-aged and older adults (aged ≥50 years) with hazardous drinking patterns in six low- and middle-income countries. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health. Hazardous drinking was defined as consuming >7 (females) or >14 (males) standard drinks per week. Participants were dichotomized into low (i.e., not meeting 150 min of moderate PA/week) and moderate–high physically active groups. Associations between PA and a range of correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. The prevalence of low PA in 1,835 hazardous drinkers (60.5 ± 13.1 years; 87.9% males) was 16.2% (95% confidence interval [13.9%, 18.9%]). Older age, living in an urban setting, being unemployed, depression, underweight, obesity, asthma, visual impairment, poor self-rated health, and higher levels of disability were identified as significant PA correlates. The current data provide important guidance for future interventions to assist older hazardous drinkers to engage in regular PA.