The Association Between Physical Activity, Mental Status, and Social and Family Support with Five Major Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases Among Elderly People: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Rural Population in Southern China

Xiang Huang, Huajie Yang, Harry H.X. Wang, Yongjun Qiu, Xiujuan Lai, Zhiheng Zhou, Fangjian Li, Liwei Zhang, Jiaji Wang and Jimin Lei
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Xiang Huang: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Huajie Yang: The Sanxiang Community Health Service Center of ZhongShan City, Zhongshan 528463, China
Harry H.X. Wang: School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Yongjun Qiu: The Health and Family Planning Bureau of ZhongShan City, Zhongshan 528403, China
Xiujuan Lai: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Zhiheng Zhou: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Fangjian Li: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Liwei Zhang: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Jiaji Wang: School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
Jimin Lei: The Health and Family Planning Bureau of ZhongShan City, Zhongshan 528403, China

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: Background : Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) have become the top threat in China. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of major NCDs among the elderly population in rural areas in southern China and explore its associated social determinants. Methods : A multistage cluster random sampling methodology was adopted to select a total of 9245 rural elderly people from 3860 rural households in Guangdong Province. Interviews and physical examinations were performed to collect patient information. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with the presence of major NCDs. Results : Over one-third (38.5%) of the study population suffered from five major NCDs. The grade of activities of daily living (ADL), mental status, and social relationship of elderly people without NCDs were better than those with NCDs. The major factors associated with the presence of NCDs among the elderly people included age (70–79 years group and 80–89 years group), education level (senior high/technical secondary school and junior college and above), mental status (concentration, enrichment and happy life and memory), relationship with neighbours, activities of daily living (ADL) (being able to climb three floors and bend over), physical activity, marital status (bereft), and living conditions (with offspring and family members). Conclusions : The study identified several social determinants associated with the presence of major NCDs. A higher level of family support and physical exercise might contribute to improved physical condition, mental status, and ADL among the elderly people in rural areas in southern China.

Keywords: non-communicable chronic disease; activities of daily living; mental status; social relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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