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Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
Association between neighborhood active living potential and walking
Lise Gauvin1, Mylène Riva, Tracie Barnett
1Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Santé, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. lise.gauvin.2@umontreal.ca
American Journal of Epidemiology
|January 30, 2008
Summary
A higher density of destinations in neighborhoods encourages middle-aged and older adults to walk more often for utilitarian purposes. This finding highlights the importance of accessible local amenities for promoting physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning
- Public health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Neighborhood characteristics significantly influence physical activity levels.
- Understanding factors promoting walking is crucial for public health interventions.
- Active living potential is a key determinant of mobility in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neighborhood active living potential and walking behaviors.
- To examine how destination density impacts walking frequency and duration in adults aged 45 and older.
- To identify specific neighborhood features that encourage utilitarian walking.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 2,614 adults aged 45+ in Montreal, Canada, completed telephone surveys.
- Neighborhood active living potential data was derived from observational sources for 112 census tracts.
- Multilevel modeling was employed to analyze the relationship between neighborhood features and walking.
Main Results:
- Greater destination density was significantly associated with increased likelihood of walking at least 5 days/week (OR=1.53).
- This association remained significant after controlling for socioeconomic, health, and lifestyle factors.
- No significant associations were found between neighborhood active living potential and recreational walking.
Conclusions:
- A higher number and variety of neighborhood destinations are linked to increased walking among middle-aged and older adults.
- Neighborhood design may play a role in promoting utilitarian walking, a potentially important contributor to overall physical activity.
- Future interventions could focus on enhancing neighborhood accessibility to promote active lifestyles in aging populations.
