JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

More attention has been given to researchers’ role in dissemination than to information-seeking practices of lay audiences to date. In particular, older adults’ interactions with online platforms for health-related information was nascent. This may be part of the reason only 13% of Americans aged 65+ years are meeting physical activity recommendations, with approximately the same low compliance rate worldwide.

Objective:

To determine what information was readily available (i.e., open access) to older adults who may casually search the internet for physical activity recommendations.

Methods:

Engaged in a 6-part scoping review to determine the research question, available evidence, and extract data within open-access top hits using popular online search engines. Results were categorized by a dissemination model that has categories of: sources, channels, audience, and messages.

Results:

After the iterative search process, 92 unique articles were included and coded. Only 5% cited physical activity guidelines, and 90% were coded as promoting healthy aging and positive framing. Most articles were posed as educational, but the authors’ credentials were rarely reported (i.e., reported 22% of the time). Muscle strengthening and balance components of the physical activity guidelines for older adults were rarely reported (78%, 86%) or inaccurately reported (3%, 3%), respectively.

Conclusions:

Inconsistent messages lead to mistrust of science and public health representatives. This work highlights the lack of evidence within existing open access resources. Further efforts are needed to ensure evidence-based public health messages are in the sources and channels older adults are using to inform their knowledge and behaviors. Clinical Trial: N/A