Effects of Physical Activity on Ageism and Aging Anxiety Among Chinese and Korean Adults Aged 55 to 64 Years

Abstract

Background: China and the Republic of Korea, two countries facing rapid population aging, are actively promoting healthy aging. Physical activity (PA), aging, anxiety, depression, and discrimination determine the health and quality of life of older adults. This study compared the levels of PA, ageism, and aging anxiety among Chinese and Korean adults aged 55–64 years. In this study, we explored the effect of PA on ageism and aging anxiety in these individuals. Methods: We surveyed 200 pre-elderly individuals in Shaanxi Province, China, and 201 pre-elderly individuals in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. The survey assessed PA, ageism, and aging anxiety levels and collected data on nationality, sex, body mass index, marital status, smoking status, and education level. The collected data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, t-tests, analysis of variance, and structural equation model path analysis, which were performed using SPSS and AMOS. Results: The PA level was higher among the Korean participants than among the Chinese participants (p = 0.027). In contrast, ageism (p < 0.001) and aging anxiety (p = 0.001) levels were higher among Chinese participants than among Korean participants. PA was negatively related to aging anxiety (p = 0.044) but did not affect ageism (p > 0.05). Furthermore, ageism was positively correlated with aging anxiety (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Pre-elderly Chinese and Korean individuals should be aware of the importance of PA and increase its presence in daily life. Pre-elderly individuals must be prepared for healthy aging. This can be achieved by implementing social policies and increasing awareness of healthy aging.