FALL RISK, FEAR OF FALLING, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND SELF-PERCEPTIONS IN ETHNICALLY DIVERSE LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Falls and fear of falling (FOF) are the leading cause disability, hospitalization in ethnically diverse low-income older adults. The present study included an sample adults (N=121) to examine ethnic income-based group differences risk factors for falls (high FOF, depression, avoidance physical activity) role negative self-perceptions aging driving these factors. Results revealed highest levels fall among Hispanics Asian Americans, FOF African depression Hispanics. Accelerometer-based activity measures confirmed that had lower moderate vigorous (MVPA) compared with their high-income counterparts (p=0.04). Further, financial difficulty was related MVPA (p<0.001), anxiety, (p=0.01). Critically, we also found a strong relationship between (p = 0.002) across groups.