Gender and income associations in physical activity and blood pressure among older adults.

OBJECTIVES To examine physical activity (PA) in multiple contexts (household, walking, and leisure-time PA) and blood pressure (BP) across gender and income among older adults living independently. METHODS A convenience sample of 372 older adults completed 2 BP measurements and PA questionnaires. RESULTS Older adults with high incomes (≥$30,000) engaged in less household activity, more leisure time PA and better controlled their BP than those with low incomes (<$30,000). Men walked more than women. Older women in the low-income group had less controlled BP than those women in the high-income group. Participants with normal or controlled BP were engaged in more household and walking activities than those with uncontrolled BP. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that older men and women at high or low-income levels have different mode of PA and BP management that should be considered for intervention strategies.