Lifestyle factors and incident functional disability among a rural ageing population in South Africa

Objective: The study aimed to assess the relationship between lifestyle factors and incident functional disability in South Africa. Methods: Longitudinal data (N = 4113) from two consecutive waves in 2014/2015 and 2018/2019 in Agincourt, South Africa, were analysed. Results: Moderate sedentary behaviour (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.31–2.58) and being overweight (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10–2.36) increased the odds of incident functional disability among men. Moderate and high sedentary behaviour (AOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.57, and AOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.08–3.10) increased the odds, and frequent fruit intake (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19–0.91) and moderate physical activity (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30–0.75) decreased the odds of incident functional disability among women. Conclusions: Sedentary behaviour and being overweight increased odds, and physical activity and frequent fruit intake decreased odds of incident functional disability among ageing men and/or women in South Africa.