Sedentary time and psychosocial dimensions in older adults: review of measurement, associations with health and determinants

Abstract

Excessive sedentary time is an important risk factor for the biopsychosocial health in older adults. In this review, we analyze the updated literature to identify its gaps and develop recommendations for future investigations about sedentary time and healthy aging. The review covered the following topics: (1) clarifying the operational definitions of sedentary time used in the context of psychosocial health research with older people; (2) summarize the evidence about relationship between sedentary time and the psychosocial health in older adults and (3) present the empirical evidence on the psychosocial determinants of sedentary time in older adults. A peer-reviewed literature research strategy was developed. The studies use different operational definitions of sedentary time, hindering the progression of the investigation in this field. Evidence indicates the sedentary time may contribute to lack of psychosocial well-being in older adults; but the results also show the sedentary time may be beneficial for psychosocial health. With regard to the psychosocial determinants of sedentary time in older adults, the evidence is still scarce and more research is needed.