Racial and Educational Differences in Physical Activity Among Older Adults

This study utilized a nationally representative sample of older adults to investigate the association of race and education with five different measures of self-reported physical activity. Rates of physical activity were low among white Americans and even lower among African Americans. However, a majority of the racial variation in activity was accounted for by racial differences in educational attainment. Those with 8 or fewer years of education were found to be less active than those with 9 or more, despite having controlled for educational differences in income, health compared to one year ago, functional status, body mass, and chronic disease. Discussion focuses on self-efficacy and social and cultural contexts.