Page 59 - IJPS-8-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Cognitive functioning and active life engagement

average age of the sampled older men and women was 37% performed physical activity; less than half (46%)
70 years old (range between 60 and 98), with over 70% participated in socially connected activity; and 88% of
married and 51% male. <40% respondents were literate. respondents spent 5 h on average for sedentary time.
On average, the annual income of sampled household was Table 3 presents results of logistic regression for
about 6640 Yuan (Chinese Currency, equivalent to $980) engagement of six types of activities after controlling
and 20% of the respondents lived alone. In terms of the engagement of six types of activities at baseline,
presence of chronic disease, about 9% of the respondents respectively, socialdemographic characteristics, and
had diabetes, almost 40% had hypertension, and over physical health in 2015. Estimates suggest that older adults
20% had cardiovascular disease. Table 1 also presents with higher level of cognitive functioning were more
the cognitive functioning (level in 2015 and decline in likely to engaging in household work, recreational activity,
follow-up) of sampled older men and women. On average, and social connected activity. The association between
almost half of the respondents reported a decline in their cognitive functioning and engagement of physical activity
cognitive functioning. was also significant at marginal level (10%). Maintaining
Table 2 shows the pattern of active life engagement in their cognitive functioning without decline was also
2018 among older adults in rural China. In 2018, about significantly associated with higher possibility of engaging
56% of respondents reported that they were engaged in in household work, recreational activity, and physical
economic work and generally worked approximately 4 h; activity. However, decline of cognitive functioning in
household work was performed by 75% of respondents; follow-up also increased the possibility of sedentary time
over 72% were engaged in recreational activity but only at marginal level.

Table 1. Sample characteristics in 2015 and cognitive functioning

Variables Mean (SE)/% Coding/ranging
Gender 50.84 0=women; 1=men
Age 70.05 (7.77) 60–98
Marital status 72.65 0=single; 1=married
Education attainment 36.67 0=illiterate; 1=literate
Annual income 6639.54 (9243.69) 0–100000
Living arrangement 20.00 0=living with others;
1=living alone
Social support 1 3.19 (0.07) 0–10
Social support 2 2.88 (0.07) 0–9
Social support 3 3.43 (0.08) 0–10
Having diabetes 8.63 0=no; 1=onset
Having hypertension 38.73 0=no; 1=onset
Having cardiovascular disease 21.18 0=no; 1=onset
ADLs 41.77 (5.46) 15–45
Cognitive functioning in 2015 15.74 (4.83) 0–24
Cognitive functioning decline in 2018 47.59 0=no; 1=yes

Table 2. Time spent on daily activities among older adults in rural China in 2018
Activities Percentage Hours/mean (SD)
Economic work 56.29 4.17 (4.81)
Household work 75.25 4.06 (4.42)
Recreational activities 72.89 3.18 (3.49)
Physical activities 37.43 1.04 (2.24)
Socially connected activity 45.97 2.35 (3.31)
Sedentary time 88.31 5.11 (3.82)

Volume 8 Issue 1 (2022) 53 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v8i1.1301