Social factors, wearable activity tracker use frequency, and physical activity patterns among U.S. older adults: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated wearable activity tracker (WAT) use frequency and physical activity (PA) patterns among older adults. The present study aims to describe PA patterns (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior) and to examine the association of social factors and WAT use frequency with PA patterns among U.S. older adults. METHODS: We used cross-sectional self-reported data from 3,370 older adults from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Linear regression models and multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify associations among social factors, WAT use, and PA patterns. Mediation analysis was conducted to explore whether WAT use statistically explained the association between socioeconomic status and activity. RESULTS: Most participants (63.7%) had < 150 min/week of MVPA, and 60.1% reported > 6 h/day of sedentary time. Female (b=-55.79, 95% CI: -101.5, -10.52) and older (≥ 75 years) adults (b=-51.47, 95% CI: -98.90, -4.04) had lower MVPA. Higher income was associated with higher MVPA (b = 60.90, 95% CI: 3.98, 117.81) and greater odds of “High MVPA & Low Sedentary” group (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.68). College education was associated with higher odds of “High MVPA & Low Sedentary” group (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.53). Frequent WAT use was associated with longer MVPA (b = 58.54, 95% CI: 4.73, 112.34) and “High MVPA & Low Sedentary” group (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.10, 3.34). Income had a significant indirect effect on MVPA through WAT use (IE = 4.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 8.13), but not education or sedentary behavior. CONCLUSION: Social disparities existed in PA patterns, but WAT use frequency partially explained the associations between income and MVPA time. This may inform a need to promote PA patterns especially in socially and economically disadvantaged older adults.