Geographic and Urban-Rural Differences in Walking for Leisure and Transportation

Walking can serve many purposes, such as transportation (to get some place) or leisure (for fun, relaxation, or exercise); therefore, it provides many opportunities for people to be physically active. This study examines geographic and urban-rural differences in walking in the U.S.

Adult respondents (aged ≥18 years) to the 2015 National Health Interview Survey reported participation in and time spent (minutes per week) walking for transportation and leisure in the past week. In 2017, prevalence and time spent walking (among walkers) for any, leisure, and transportation walking were estimated by nine expanded regions and urban-rural designation.

Prevalence of any walking ranged from 50.8% (East South Central) to 72.4% (Pacific); for leisure walking 43.9% (East South Central) to 60.6% (Pacific); and transportation walking 17.8% (East South Central) to 43.5% (New England). Among walkers, mean minutes spent walking per week ranged from 77.4 (East South Central) to 101.6 (Pacific); for leisure walking 70.5 (West South Central) to 85.9 (Mountain); and for transportation walking 47.4 (East South Central) to 66.4 (Middle Atlantic). Overall, there were urban-rural differences in prevalence of walking; however, differences depended on walking purpose and expanded region. Time spent walking was similar in urban and rural areas.

Regional differences in walking prevalence and time spent walking exist. Urban-rural differences in prevalence of walking differ based on region and purpose; however, rural areas had a lower prevalence of walking than urban areas regardless of purpose in southern regions. Opportunities exist to improve walking, particularly among southern regions with a focus on rural areas.