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Published on: June 9, 2020
Walkability indices and children's walking behavior in rural vs. urban areas
Agnes G Bucko1, Dwayne E Porter2, Ruth Saunders3
1Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Suite 212, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
Purpose:
This study described associations between selected walk indices (WI) and walking and physical activity behaviors in rural and urban children.
Findings:
WI were higher in urban environments, yet children from rural areas walked for transportation more than children from urban areas. There was a negative correlation between National WI scores and walking for transportation in urban areas, and between the Frank WI scores and walking for exercise in rural areas.
Conclusions:
Indices of walkability are not associated with objectively measured physical activity or self-reported walking behavior in children living in rural and urban settings.
