Source and Size of Social Support Network on Sedentary Behavior Among Older Adults

Purpose: To examine the association of source of social support and size of social support network on sedentary behavior among older adults. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006. Participants: 2519 older adults (60+ years). Measures: Sedentary behavior was assessed via accelerometry over a 7-day period. Social support was assessed via self-report. Sources evaluated include spouse, son, daughter, sibling, neighbor, church member, and friend. Regarding size of social network, participants were asked, “In general, how many close friends do you have?” Analysis: Multivariable linear regression. Results: After adjustment, there was no evidence of an association between the size of social support network and sedentary behavior. With regard to specific sources of social support, spousal social support was associated with less sedentary behavior (β = −11.6; 95% confidence interval: −20.7 to −2.5), with evidence to suggest that this was only true for men. Further, an inverse association was observed between household size and sedentary behavior, with those having a greater number of individuals in the house having lower levels of sedentary behavior. These associations occurred independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, age, gender, race–ethnicity, measured body mass index, total cholesterol, self-reported smoking status, and physician diagnosis of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, or diabetes. Conclusion: Spouse-specific emotion-related social support (particularly for men) and household size were associated with less sedentary behavior.