Association between physical activity patterns and health outcomes among older adults in India and China: a gendered perspective : First author.

Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100968562 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-2458 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14712458 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001-

Exercise* ; Health Status Disparities* ; Health Status*; Humans ; India ; Female ; Male ; China ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Activities of Daily Living ; Aged, 80 and over

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a significant predictor of physical and mental health, particularly among older adults. In India and China, gendered social norms shape physical patterns, and the intensity of androcentric settings is different. As a result, the gendered perspective of physical activity and its association with health outcomes could be different in China and India. Therefore, the study examines gender differences in physical activity and their impact on health outcomes.
Methods: This study utilizes nationally representative data from older adults aged 60 and above in India and China. Gender disaggregated physical activity is considered a key explanatory variable, and functional limitations (IADL/ADL), multimorbidity, and self-rated health are selected as outcome variables. Separate logistic regression analyses were conducted for males and females to examine the gender-specific associations between PA and health.
Results: Indian women show lower moderate PA (54.58%) than Chinese women (49.99%), with markedly fewer engaging in intense PA (12.35% vs. 24.01%). Health disparities are more severe in India: 56.15% report IADL limitations (China: 42.86%) and 25.2% ADL problems (China: 29.09%). While moderate PA strongly protects against poor SRH/ADL in both countries, Indian women face higher multimorbidity risks (aOR: 1.38 vs. China's Non-Significant) when inactive.
Conclusion: This comparative study reveals that Indian women face greater physical activity disparities and worse functional health outcomes than Chinese women, highlighting the urgent need for gender-sensitive health interventions to address these inequities.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The CHARLS research project has been reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Peking University (approval number for the main survey: IRB00001052-11015). Before the survey, written informed consent was required to be signed by participants or their proxy respondents. The survey agencies that conducted the field survey for the data collection have collected prior informed consent (written and verbal) from the respondents. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects and/or their legal guardian(s). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) extended the necessary guidance and ethical approval for conducting the LASI survey. The study is approved by the ethics committee of ICMR. The Indian Council of Medical Research approved all experimental protocols. All the methods were conducted using relevant guidelines. Informed consent was taken from a close one/guardian or LAR (Legally authorized representative) prior to participation by an illiterate person. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Keywords: Activities of daily living; Gender differences; Instrumental activities of daily living; Multimorbidity; Older adults; Self-rated health

Date Created: 20251107 Date Completed: 20251108 Latest Revision: 20251110

20251110

PMC12595720

10.1186/s12889-025-25078-w

41204242