Housing type is associated with objectively measured changes in movement behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension: An exploratory study

Highlights

• •

  The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the movement behavior of older adults

• •

  Housing type was associated with changes in movement behavior during the pandemic

• •

  Residing in apartment and row house was associated with unhealthy movement behavior

• •

  Changes in movement behavior were less evident in those residing in detached house

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the association between housing characteristics with objectively measured changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension.

Methods

Thirty-five older adults with hypertension were included in this exploratory study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before and during a period of social distancing policy imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing type, housing surface area and household size were tested as predictors of changes in PA and SB. A generalized linear mixed model was used for the analysis.

Results

Housing type was associated with changes in PA and SB. Individuals residing in an apartment showed a greater decrease in light PA on weekdays (β= –65 min/day, p=0.035) and a trend for an increase in SB (β= 55 min/day, p=0.056) compared to those residing in a detached house. Individuals residing in a row house showed a greater decrease in moderate-vigorous PA (β= –10 min/day, p=0.037) and steps/day (β= –2064, p=0.010) compared to those residing in a detached house. Individuals residing in an apartment showed a greater decrease in light PA on the weekends (β= –83 min/day, p=0.015) and an increase in SB (β= 72 min/day, p=0.036) compared to those residing in a detached house. No association was found for housing surface area and household size.

Conclusions

Older adults with hypertension residing in an apartment or row house have greater unhealthy changes in movement behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings.