PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ANXIETY AMONG ELDERLY INDONESIANS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS: FINDINGS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY

AKTIVITAS FISIK DAN HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN KECEMASAN DI KALANGAN LANSIA INDONESIA PENDERITA DIABETES MELLITUS: TEMUAN DARI SURVEI KESEHATAN INDONESIA

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety is a common but often under-recognized mental health issue among elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus. Although physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety in several populations, evidence among older adults with diabetes in Indonesia remains limited. Methods: This study analyzed 4,130 adults aged ≥60 years with self-reported diabetes mellitus from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (Survei Kesehatan Indonesia/SKI). Anxiety was assessed using self-reported symptoms, and independent variables included sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical factors, and levels of physical activity. Chi-square tests were conducted, accounting for complex survey design. Results: The prevalence of anxiety among older adults with diabetes was 6.8%. Anxiety was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), employment status (p = 0.001), moderate physical activity (p = 0.001), and heavy physical activity (p = 0.017). No significant associations were found between gender, marital status, education, residence, or diabetes type. Conclusion: Physical activity is inversely associated with anxiety among older Indonesians with diabetes mellitus. Promoting regular physical activity may serve as a low-cost, non-pharmacological strategy to improve mental health in this vulnerable population.