This is the first comprehensive cohort study of the health of older people ever conducted in Iran. The aim of this project is to investigate the health status of older people in Amirkola in the northern part of Iran, near the Caspian Sea. The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) is mainly concerned with geriatric medical problems, such as falling, bone fragility and fractures, cognitive impairment and dementia, poor mobility and functional dependence. It is planned that all participants will be re-examined after 2 years. Data are collected via questionnaire, examinations and venepuncture. AHAP started in April 2011 and 1616 participants had been seen by 18 July 2012, the end of the baseline stage of this study. The participation rate was 72.3%. The prevalence of self-reported hypertension (41.2%) and diabetes mellitus (23.3%) are high. Only 14.4% of older people considered their health as excellent or good in comparison with others at this age. The prevalence of osteoporosis (T score≤-2.5) was 57.4% in women and 16.1% in men, and 38.2 % of older people were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml). Researchers interested in using the information are invited to contact the principal investigator Seyed Reza Hosseini (hosseinim46@yahoo.com).

Cohort Profile: The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP)

To assess the prevalence and correlates of low physical activity among Iranian population aged 15-64 years. We used the data collected in National Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in Iran, 2011. Physical activity was categorized in 3 levels of low, moderate, and high based on a Persian version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The multistage cluster sampling design was accounted for using complex survey analysis method. The sample included 10016 individuals; 41.7% (n = 4178) were men and 58.3% (n = 5837) were women. The mean (SD) age of participants was 38.8 (14.9) years also, and 69.8% (n = 6991) of the participants were from urban areas. The prevalence of low physical activity in the whole population was estimated to be 44.8% (95% CI: 41.7, 48.1). The odds of lower physical activity in the women were 3 times greater than men (OR = 3.14; 95% CI: 2.64, 3.57); in the wealthiest people was 25% lower than the poorest people (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.94). The odds of lower physical activity in the age groups 55-64 years were 44% greater than the youngest age groups 15-24 years (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.68). The odds of lower physical activity in the obese participants were 18% greater than normal-weight people (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.38).). The odds of lower physical activity in diabetic patients were 30% greater than healthy people (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.57). The prevalence of low physical activity in Iran, 2011 was high. The correlates of low physical activity in Iran are different to those of Western populations. The main associated factors with low physical activity were female gender, urban area, low socioeconomic status, obesity, diabetes, and older age. Public health policies should target the groups at highest risk of low physical activity.

Prevalence and correlates of low physical activity in the Iranian population: National survey on non-communicable diseases in 2011.

Background: Knowledge about factors influencing physical activity behavior is needed in order to tailor physical activity interventions to the individual. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceived reasons, barriers, and incentives to increased physical activity, as well as preferable activities, among elderly men in Sweden. Methods: In total, 150 men aged 50-86 years responded to a Web-based questionnaire. Men who reported that they exercised sometimes or often received questions about reasons for physical activity (n=104), while men who reported that they never or seldom exercised received questions about barriers (n=46). Results: The most frequent perceived reason for being physically active was health (82%), followed by enjoyment (45%), and a desire to lose/maintain weight (27%). Lack of interest/motivation was identified as the primary perceived barrier (17%). Incentives for increasing the level of activity included becoming more motivated and having a training partner. Walking was the most preferred activity. Conclusions: Enjoyment and maintaining a good health were important reasons for engaging in physical activity among Swedish elderly men. [Interact J Med Res 2014;3(4):e15]

Perceived Reasons, Incentives, and Barriers to Physical Activity in Swedish Elderly Men

BACKGROUND Regular physical activity has been considered as health promotion, and identifying different effective psycho-social variables on physical has proven to be essential. OBJECTIVE To identify the relationship between decisional balance and self-efficacy in physical activities using the transtheoretical model in the members of a retirement center in Rasht, Guillen. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 by using convenient sampling on 262 elderly people who are the members of retirement centers in Rasht. Data were collected using Stages of change, Decisional balance, Self-efficacy and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Data was analyzed using SPSS-16 software, descriptive and analytic statistic (Pearson correlation, Spearman, ANOVA, HSD Tukey, linear and ordinal regression). RESULTS The majority of participants were in maintenance stage. Mean and standard deviation physical activity for the elderly was 119.35±51.50. Stages of change and physical activities were significantly associated with decisional balance and self-efficacy (p<0.0001); however, cons had a significant and reverse association. According to linear and ordinal regression the only predicator variable of physical activity behavior was self-efficacy. CONCLUSION By increase in pros and self-efficacy on doing physical activity, it can be benefited in designing appropriate intervention programs.

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Decisional balance and self-efficacy of physical activity among the elderly in Rasht in 2013 based on the transtheoretical model.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the perceived benefits/barriers scale of physical activity in Iranian elderly. Methods: Overall, 388 elderly subjects (60 yr and over) completed the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) and the Yale physical activity scale. Data were analyzed through of exploratory factor analysis, using Varimax rotation, Cronbach's alpha and Pearson correlation. Results: The matrix table of rotated elements of Farsi version of EBBS showed ten components, and 41 items predicted 61.83% of variance. 28 items in 5 components for benefits of, and 13 items in 5 components for barriers to physical activity were identified. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency in the whole scale and its subscales was 0.83, 0.94 and 0.68. In addition, positive and significant correlation was found between overall benefits and their subscales as well as between overall barriers and their subscales. Moreover, there was significant and positive correlation between physical activity and the benefits (r=0.209, P=0.005) and significant negative correlation between physical activity and the barriers (r=-0.231, P=0.001). Conclusion: The results showed acceptable reliability and validity of the Farsi version of Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale among Iranian elderly.

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The Psychometric Characteristics of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale among Iranian Elderly

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of major chronic disease, which contributes substantially to the global burden of disease, death and disability. This study examined physical activity in a randomly selected sample of elderly people in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A random sample of 400 elderly people aged 60 years and over was selected through multistage sampling. A multi-sectional questionnaire that contained demographic characteristics, physical activity knowledge, benets, barriers, self- efcacy, and readiness stage was used. Physical activity was measured by questions retrieved from the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Results: This study showed knowledge, perceived benets, and self-efcacy could predict physical activity stage of change (P<0.001). Sixty-two percent of participants reported laziness as the most important barrier for not engaging in physical activity. Meeting new people (74%), having fun (71.8%), and contacting friends (67.73%) were the most prevalent reasons for partici- pating in physical activity. Conclusion: According to this study, individuals with higher knowledge, perceived benets and self-efcacy were more likely to engage in physical activity. Furthermore, those who perceived lower barriers towards this behavior were more physically active.

Mohammad Hossain Taghdisi

Papers

Physical activity among a sample of Iranians aged over 60 years: an application of the transtheoretical model.