Population Institute

ABSTRACT

This study examined the association of leisure activities and self-assessed health status of Filipino older persons controlling for age, sex and educational attainment using the 2007 Philippine Study on Aging, a nationally representative survey of older persons aged 60 and above. In general, the proportion of older persons who assess themselves to be unhealthy increases with age. There is very little difference between the sexes in terms of considering themselves healthy but more females assess themselves as unhealthy. In terms of education, there is no clear pattern in self-assessed health although the proportion who assess themselves as unhealthy is highest among those with elementary and lower education. Results showed a generally high level of engagement in leisure activities among Filipino older persons. There is a significant difference in the number of leisure activities between males and females, across age and educational attainment. Males, the younger cohort and those who have better education have more leisure activities. The most prevalent type of leisure activity is sedentary leisure activity regardless of background characteristics. Across all types of leisure activities (physical, social and sedentary) there is a much higher proportion of unhealthy among those who do not engage in leisure activities whether physical or social activities compared to those who do. This is consistent across age, sex and education. The present findings might help in formulating programs to encourage older persons to engage in social and physical leisure activities to help prevent deterioration of their health.

Keywords: Older Persons, Leisure, Self-Assessed Health, Social Activities, Sedentary Activities, Physical Activities, Age, Sex, Educational Attainment