Racial Differences in Neighborhood Perceptions and their Influences on Physical Activity among Urban Older Women

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Sociology of Aging

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for healthy aging in older adults.
• Racial disparities in neighborhood perceptions (NP) and their impact on PA among older women are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate racial differences in neighborhood perceptions (NP) and their association with physical activity (PA) and neighborhood resource utilization among community-dwelling older women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study in 2014-2015 involving 49 White and 44 Black women aged 65+ in Washington, DC.
• Data collected via questionnaires, accelerometers, and GPS devices over 7 days.
• Analysis stratified by race.

Main Results:

• Black women reported lower NP scores, fewer daily steps, and less frequent exercise than White women.
• Better NP was associated with higher PA for both racial groups.
• The association between NP and specific PA types (exercise, moderate-to-high intensity, utilitarian walking) was significant for White women but not Black women.

Conclusions:

• Older Black women in urban settings experience poorer neighborhood perceptions and lower physical activity levels compared to White women.
• Racial differences in the association between neighborhood perceptions and physical activity suggest a need for tailored health promotion strategies.
• Further research is warranted to understand and address these disparities in healthy aging programs.