Using the Bristol City Council Quality of Life Survey (2011-2013) to support the Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Team ‘Active People: Promoting Healthy Life Expectancy’ – Preliminary analysis and recommendations for further analyses

Bennett-Britton, Beth; Mundy, Janet; Bray, Issy

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to explore the utility of the Bristol Quality of Life Survey for measuring levels of physical activity in Bristol to support the 'Active People: Promoting Healthy Life Expectancy' Health Integration Team (HIT). Key issues for consideration are sample size, response rates, and variables available to measure levels of physical activity, to understand potential enablers and barriers to older people being active, and to measure important health outcomes that are associated with physical activity.
Based on pooled data from the three surveys 2011-13, there were 7,078 respondents of age 55 and above. 84% of men and women age 55-59 years exercise at least once a week. 39% of men and 35% of women age 55-59 exercise at least 5 times a week. 32% of men and 36% of women age 55-59 play sport at least once a week. Levels of physical activity decline with age, and tend to decline more rapidly amongst women than men. The percentage who exercise at least once per week and who play sport at least once per week are highest in the Bristol North and West (Inner) sub-locality of Bristol. Generally, black and minority ethnic (BME) respondents have lower levels of physical activity than non-BME respondents. Older people who reported that something prevented them from leaving the house (particularly poor health or disability) were less likely to be physically active. General health in the past 12 months was positively associated with levels of physical activity, while having a limiting long-term illness, having had an accidental fall in the last 12 months and being overweight or obese were all associated with lower levels of physical activity.
We conclude that the large sample size and wide range of variables available make this a useful data source for monitoring the HIT. We note that the data are self-reported, and that the low response rate is a concern. These potential sources of bias do not detract from the usefulness of the data in monitoring trends over time and assessing the effect of interventions.

Citation

Bennett-Britton, B., Mundy, J., & Bray, I. (2016). Using the Bristol City Council Quality of Life Survey (2011-2013) to support the Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Team ‘Active People: Promoting Healthy Life Expectancy’ – Preliminary analysis and recommendations for further analyses

• Report Type: Project Report
• Acceptance Date: Jan 18, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: older people, physical activity, exercise, healthy ageing, Bristol
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/915115