Association Between Physical Activity & Health Literacy with Self-Perceived Dysphagia in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Summary of Review

Physical activity and physical performance showed an inverse association with dysphagia and oropharyngeal dysfunction, indicating that higher level of exercise and better physical performance are linked to  lower risk of dysphagia in older adults. Similarly, health literacy demonstrated an inverse association with dysphagia, with lower health literacy levels associated with a higher risk of swallowing difficulties among older adults. Together these findings indicate that physical activity and health literacy play crucial roles in preventing dysphagia among older adults. Higher activity levels are linked to better muscle strength, swallowing function, and quality of life, while low health literacy is linked with greater dysphagia risk and delayed care-seeking.

Research gap

Dysphagia is increasingly recognized as a prevalent and clinically significant problem among community-dwelling older adults worldwide. Few Western studies have demonstrated that physical activity and health literacy play a crucial role in the prevention and management of dysphagia in older adults. However, no such studies have been reported from India.

Need for the study

Patterns of physical activity, literacy levels, and health behaviors among older adults in India may differ substantially from those observed in Western population. Understanding how physical activity and health literacy interact to affect self-perceived dysphagia in older adults in India is essential for designing targeted, community-based screening, education, and preventive programs that can enhance swallowing health and promote healthy aging.

Outcome measures:

·       The level of dysphagia symptoms  will be measures by using EAT-10.The  health literacy level will be measured by using HLS-IND-KAN 16. The level of physical activity will be measures by using GPAQ.