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Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally-diverse communities: an Australian experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2009

STEPHEN BIRD ,
HARRIET RADERMACHER ,
SUSAN FELDMAN ,
JANE SIMS ,
WILLIAM KUROWSKI ,
COLETTE BROWNING  and
SHANE THOMAS
STEPHEN BIRD
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
HARRIET RADERMACHER
Affiliation:
Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
SUSAN FELDMAN*
Affiliation:
Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
JANE SIMS
Affiliation:
Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
WILLIAM KUROWSKI
Affiliation:
School of Political Science, Criminology and Sociology, Melbourne University.
COLETTE BROWNING
Affiliation:
Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
SHANE THOMAS
Affiliation:
Primary Care Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Susan Feldman, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Building, Monash University, 1,270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia. E-mail: susan.feldman@med.monash.edu.au
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Abstract

Inactivity has been identified as a major contributor to the burden of disease among older Australians, particularly those in culturally-diverse communities. This study assessed the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people from culturally-diverse communities, and investigated the predictors of physical activity participation by recruiting 333 older people from seven different communities in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. A survey questionnaire that recorded physical activity and the barriers to and facilitators of activity was interviewer-administered in the participants' preferred language. The data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate inferential statistical methods. Personal barriers to physical activity, such as poor health, lacking the energy to exercise, being too tired and low motivation, were highly prevalent in all groups. Specific factors, such as ‘being self-conscious about my looks’, were more prevalent among the Vietnamese, as were concerns about the weather among Macedonians and Croatians. Across all groups, perceptions of health and safety strongly influenced physical activity behaviour, more so than the external environment. Some of the barriers can be addressed with a common approach, but others in some communities will require particular strategies.

Keywords

older adultsethnic minoritiescultural diversityethnicityphysical activitybarriers
Type
Submitted Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 29 , Issue 8: Minimal Families: Childlessness and Intergenerational Transfers , November 2009 , pp. 1275 - 1294
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press

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