A Nonlinear Association between Neighborhood Walkability and Risks of Sarcopenia in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Neighborhood walkability is linked to physical activity and reduced noncommunicable disease risk.
• Limited research exists on walkability's association with sarcopenia in older adults.
• Sarcopenia poses a significant health challenge for aging populations worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between neighborhood walk score and sarcopenia risk.
• To examine this association in a sample of older Taiwanese adults.
• To inform urban design and public health strategies for aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, telephone-based survey of 1,056 Taiwanese adults aged 65 and older.
• Assessed neighborhood walkability using residential walk scores.
• Measured sarcopenia risk using the SARC-F scale and analyzed data with generalized additive models.

Main Results:

• A nonlinear association was observed between neighborhood walk score and sarcopenia risk.
• Sarcopenia risk was lower in neighborhoods with walk scores of 40 (Car-Dependent) and 80 (Very Walkable).
• The highest sarcopenia risk was found in neighborhoods with a walk score of 60 (Somewhat Walkable).

Conclusions:

• Neighborhood walkability exhibits a nonlinear relationship with sarcopenia risk in older Asian adults.
• Highly walkable neighborhoods do not consistently protect older adults from sarcopenia.
• Urban planning and public health interventions should consider nuanced walkability-health relationships.