Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
07:21
Walk with Me Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Walking for Older Adults with Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: June 16, 2023
1.7K
Mall Walking Program Environments, Features, and Participants: A Scoping Review.
Laura Farren1, Basia Belza2, Peg Allen3
1Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th St, Suite 200, Box 354804, Seattle, WA 98105. Email: laf2163@columbia.edu. Ms Farren is now affiliated with the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Preventing Chronic Disease
|August 14, 2015
Summary
Mall walking programs offer safe, accessible exercise for older adults, enhancing physical, social, and emotional well-being. Further research is needed to establish best practices for these health promotion initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Walking is a recommended physical activity for middle-aged and older adults.
- Barriers to walking include safety concerns, falls, and weather.
- Mall walking programs offer a potential solution to these barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize evidence on the health-related value of mall walking and mall walking programs.
- To identify features, environments, and benefits of mall walking programs.
- To assess mall walking programs using the RE-AIM framework.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of literature.
- Inclusion criteria: adults aged 45+ walking in malls.
- Exclusion criteria: malls as lab settings, focus on walking mechanics.
Main Results:
- Malls provide safe, accessible, affordable exercise environments.
- Program features like leaders and health checks enhance participation.
- Benefits include improved physical, social, and emotional well-being; transportation remains a barrier.
Conclusions:
- Mall walking programs show potential for community health promotion.
- Current research is limited with weak study designs.
- More rigorous research is needed to define best practices for program implementation and sustainability.
