Social engagement is associated with sedentary time in older males but not females living in India: analysis of a cross-sectional survey

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the association between sedentary time and social engagement among older adults living in megacities in India. Design/methodology/approach Data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in New Delhi and Chennai were used for analysis. In the total sample ( n = 528), 65% of older adults self-reported engaging in high ( <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><m:mo>≥</m:mo></m:math> 180 min/day) volumes of sedentary time. There were no associations between sedentary time and social engagement in older females. Findings Among older males, those reporting high levels of communicating or visiting with family and friends had lower odds of reporting <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><m:mo>≥</m:mo></m:math> 180 min/day of sedentary time (OR: 0.51, CI: 0.27–0.98) compared to those reporting low levels of this type of social engagement. Older males reporting high levels of participating in a club (OR: 2.27, CI: 1.19–4.3) or participating in religious activities (OR: 1.97, 1.01–3.85) were approximately two times more likely to report <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><m:mo>≥</m:mo></m:math> 180 min/day sedentary time compared to those reporting low levels of these types of social engagement. Originality/value These data suggest that the type of social activity appears to significantly affect self-reported sedentary time among older males, but not females. These findings have implications for interventions aimed at improving active aging among older adults living in megacities in India.