The association between leisure activity engagement and functional health, mental health, and subjective health among Chinese older adults

There has been growing attention on the role of leisure activities in older adult health outcomes. However, past health research has focused on specific, singular leisure activities, or examined a limited range of health outcomes.

This cross-sectional study uses data from the 2010 Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban/Rural China (SSAPUR) to examine the relationship between different types of leisure activities and the health outcomes of older adults. The sample for this study included 845 older adults who responded to survey modules on activity engagement and health outcomes. Activity engagement was measured using items for three types of leisure activities (recreational, mental, and physical). Three types of health outcomes were evaluated: functional health, mental health, and subjective health. Independent t-tests and regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between leisure activity engagements and health status.

The respondents who reported greater leisure activity engagement were more likely to report better health outcomes. In adjusted analyses, higher mental (β = –0.392, p < 0.05) and physical (β = –0.999, p < 0.001) activity engagement were associated with better functional health, higher mental activity (β = –0.902, p < 0.01) and physical activity (β = –1.084, p < 0.001) engagement were associated with better mental health, while higher physical activity engagement was associated with better subjective health (β = 0.161, p < 0.01).

Engaging in mental and physical activities may be an important component of improved health outcomes among older adults. Based on these results, future research is needed to develop multi-component intervention programs that can encourage older adults to engage in leisure activities.