Objective measures of neighborhood environment and physical activity in older women

Regular physical activity is known to help prevent chronic disease and promote healthy aging. Yet, most older women are not regularly active. This study attempts to identify objectively measured attributes of the neighborhood environment that may be associated with physical activity levels in older women.

Sociodemographics and physical activity level, as measured by pedometer, were assessed in 158 overweight Caucasian and African-American postmenopausal women from southwestern Pennsylvania at the baseline evaluation of a randomized clinical trial in 2002-2003. Geographic information systems technology was used to obtain neighborhood-level data, including neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) indicators, the median year that homes were built (as a proxy measure for urban form), and proximity to businesses and facilities. Multiple linear regression was used to test associations between individuals' physical activity level and neighborhood characteristics.

After controlling for individual age, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, and body mass index, indicators of low neighborhood SES, living in a neighborhood with homes built between 1950 and 1969 (representing an urban form that is more pedestrian-friendly than after 1969), and living within walking distance (1500 m) of specific types of businesses and facilities were positively associated with individuals' physical activity level measured by pedometer (p <0.05).

Results suggest that certain aspects of the neighborhood environment may have an important influence on the physical activity levels of postmenopausal women. Results warrant future research to clarify the role of these environmental attributes in other populations.