The Association Between Physical Activity, Mental Status, and Social and Family Support with Five Major Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases Among Elderly People: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Rural Population in Southern China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Xiang Huang²  Huajie Yang¹  Harry H.X. Wang⁴  Yongjun Qiu³  Xiujuan Lai²  Zhiheng Zhou²  Fangjian Li²  Liwei Zhang²  Jiaji Wang²  Jimin Lei³ 

[1] The Sanxiang Community Health Service Center of ZhongShan City, Zhongshan 528463, China; E-Mail:;School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China; E-Mails:;The Health and Family Planning Bureau of ZhongShan City, Zhongshan 528403, China; E-Mail:;School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; E-Mail:

关键词: non-communicable chronic disease;    activities of daily living;    mental status;    social relationship;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph121013209

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) have become the top threat in China. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of major NCDs among the elderly population in rural areas in southern China and explore its associated social determinants. Methods: A multistage cluster random sampling methodology was adopted to select a total of 9245 rural elderly people from 3860 rural households in Guangdong Province. Interviews and physical examinations were performed to collect patient information. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with the presence of major NCDs. Results: Over one-third (38.5%) of the study population suffered from five major NCDs. The grade of activities of daily living (ADL), mental status, and social relationship of elderly people without NCDs were better than those with NCDs. The major factors associated with the presence of NCDs among the elderly people included age (70–79 years group and 80–89 years group), education level (senior high/technical secondary school and junior college and above), mental status (concentration, enrichment and happy life and memory), relationship with neighbours, activities of daily living (ADL) (being able to climb three floors and bend over), physical activity, marital status (bereft), and living conditions (with offspring and family members). Conclusions: The study identified several social determinants associated with the presence of major NCDs. A higher level of family support and physical exercise might contribute to improved physical condition, mental status, and ADL among the elderly people in rural areas in southern China.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.