This cross-sectional study explored the association between self-esteem and social participation of persons with disabilities living in two municipalities affected by armed conflict in Colombia. We studied the socioeconomic status, communication level, social participation, and self-esteem of the participants. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was used to evaluate the level of self-esteem. We performed bivariate analysis and multiple regression analysis to identify the determinants of higher self-esteem in the target populations. In total, there were 579 participants in the study. The mean RSES score was 28.8 (SD = 4.5). Self-esteem was associated with monthly household income (β = 0.45, p = 0.028), education level (β = 0.65, p = 0.048), current job (β = 1.00, p = 0.017), type of disability (β = −1.17, p = 0.002), frequency of communication with neighbors or friends (β = 0.53, p = 0.013), and participation in community organization activities (β = 0.89, p = 0.019). Frequent communication with their own community, higher levels of school education, and having a job were determinants of higher self-esteem in persons with disabilities. We suggest the importance of an active inclusive reconstruction program to support persons with disabilities in local municipalities affected by armed conflict in developing countries.

Background: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (collectively referred to as physical behaviours) are promising preventive factors for adverse health outcomes. However, most previous studies have relied on subjective measures assessed at a single time point, which fail to capture changes in physical behaviours over time and can introduce measurement bias.Methods: The Tsuru Longitudinal Study is a cohort study of older adults aged ≥65 years living in Tsuru, Yamanashi, Japan. The study includes mail surveys conducted in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026, accelerometer-based assessments in 2024 and 2026, and linked data (Long-Term Care Insurance and Basic Resident Registration System), which enable the examination of associations of trajectories of physical behaviours and device-measured physical behaviours with various health outcomes.Results: While the 2026 survey is currently underway, the number of respondents (response rate) to the surveys in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 was 4857 (72.4%), 4941 (74.1%), 5459 (74.6%), and 4106 (63.6%), respectively. A total of 779 participants completed the accelerometer-based assessment. At baseline of the mail survey, men were more likely than women to have lower educational attainment and less favourable health characteristics. Participants who completed the physical behaviour assessment were more likely to be older, have higher socioeconomic status, be more physically active, be more socially engaged, and be less likely to have depression.Conclusions: This cohort study is expected to provide evidence on the health effects of physical behaviours and inform strategies to promote successful ageing.

Objective: No validated scale currently evaluates “interest in health” among older adults. This cross-sectional study assessed the structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity of the 12-item, 6-item, and 4-item Interest in Health Scale (IHS) in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: A mail survey was conducted in 2024 with 7,203 independent older adults in Tsuru City, Japan. Structural validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Construct validity was assessed by analyzing the associations between IHS scores and health outcomes. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s α.Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor structure of the 12-item IHS (comparative fit index = 0.965), which showed good internal consistency (α = 0.80). Shortened versions strongly correlated with the original version (r ≥ 0.85). Lower IHS scores were significantly associated with adverse health behaviors and outcomes, including physical inactivity and higher frailty risk (p < 0.01).Conclusions: The 12-item IHS is a valid and reliable measure for older adults, and its shortened versions may serve as practical screening tools by reducing response burden while maintaining psychometric integrity. The choice depends on balancing brevity for rapid screening with the need for a comprehensive understanding of health values to tailor individual interventions.

Background/Objective : Knee pain is a reversible condition that can be alleviated with appropriate interventions. Although physical activity (PA) is known to reduce knee pain, the long-term effects of different activity intensities are not well understood. This study examined the associations of moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA with the incidence and recovery from knee pain over 3 years. Methods : A longitudinal study from 2016 to 2019 in a remote area of Japan included 3,683 older adults aged ≥ 65 without functional disabilities. Knee pain was self-reported, and PA was evaluated using the International PA Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted for participants with or without knee pain at baseline. Results : At baseline, 32.7% reported knee pain. Among those without knee pain at baseline, 16.0% developed knee pain during follow-up. By contrast, 43.8% of those with knee pain at baseline no longer reported it 3 years later. Multivariable analyses showed that older adults, both with and without baseline knee pain, who engaged in moderate-intensity PA for ≥ 300 min/week were less likely to experience knee pain in 2019. No association was found between vigorous-intensity PA and knee pain. Conclusion : Increasing moderate-intensity PA significantly decreases the risk of onset and persistence of knee pain among community-dwelling older adults. Significance/Implications : Given that knee pain is a common condition that can severely affect mobility and quality of life, encouraging a more active lifestyle, particularly with moderate-intensity activities, can have substantial public health benefits.