Linked Lives: Exploring Gender and Sedentary Behaviors in Older Adult Couples. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashe, Maureen C.; Michalowski, Victoria I.; Chudyk, Anna M.; Gerstorf, Denis; Madden, Kenneth M.; Hoppmann, Christiane A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied gerontology. Volume 39:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1106
• Page End: 1114
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: screen time -- sitting time -- couples -- family -- health behaviors -- inflammation; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 362.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0733464819868060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-4648

Abstract

Objectives: We explored associations between co-habiting partners for sedentary behavior (type and time, via accelerometry and self-report), gender, and a surrogate health measure (inflammatory biomarker: C-reactive protein, CRP).Methods: Participants completed activity questionnaires and the Timed Up and Go (mobility), wore an accelerometer for 7 days, and provided samples for high-sensitivity (hs) CRP. We used multilevel modeling (partners within couples) to investigate associations between independent variables and (a) sedentary behavior and (b) hsCRP.Results: 112 couples (50% women) provided sedentary data and hsCRP. Sedentary behavior was significantly correlated ( r = .440, p < .001) between women and men, but there were significant differences in sedentary time (women < men) and light activity (women > men). Gender, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mobility estimated 37% of the modeled variance in sedentary time, while body mass index (BMI) and MVPA estimated 10% of the modeled variance in hsCRP.Discussion: Despite differences in how activity was accumulated, there were no significant differences between women's and men's health biomarker.