The objective of this study is to clarify the relationship between daily physical activity and its related factors, among the elderly living at home in urban and rural Okinawa. A study was conducted in Naha (urban area) and Ohgimi (rural area) in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Subjects included 70 elderly volunteers living at home, aged 65 years and older. From September to October 1994, we measured height, weight and physical activity (using calorie counter and heart rate monitor). We also interviwed the subjects on their academic history, occupation, family status and life habits. After adjustment for potential confounding factors (age, BMI), we found that the rural female group was higher than the urban male and female groups on their daily step counts and energy expenditure of daily physical activity (p <0 .01). The daily total energy expenditure between the groups was not significant. In the multiple regression analysis, age, residence and gardening or housekeeping were significantly related to the daily step counts and energy expenditure of daily physical activity. Age, BMI, residence and gardening or housekeeping were significantly related to the total energy expenditure. We concluded that physical activity differs with respect to age, resisence and gender; but physical activity can be increased in the elderly with daily house chores, community or social activities.
