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 research have investigated wearable activity tracker (WAT) use frequency and physical activity (PA) patterns. The present study aims to describe PA patterns (moderate-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 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. Baron and Kenney’s approach was used to examine the mediation effect of wearable activity tracker use on socioeconomic status and activity. Results Participants were 53.9% female and aged 73.9 years (SD = 7.1) on average. Over half of the participants reported less than 150 minutes of weekly MVPA time (63.7%) and over 6 hours of daily sedentary time (60.1%). Older adults who were female and aged 75 and older reported significantly less weekly MVPA time compared to male and 65-to-74 years old. Older adults with high annual household income, compared with those with low income reported longer MVPA time. Frequent use of WATs was significantly associated with longer weekly MVPA time. WAT use mediated the associations between income and weekly MVPA time. Conclusion Social disparities existed in PA patterns, but WAT use was found to partially mediate the associations between income and MVPA time. There is still an urgent need to promote PA patterns especially in socially and economically disadvantaged older adults.