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The Neighborhood Environment and Handgrip Strength: Longitudinal Findings From the Health and Retirement Study
Kate A Duchowny1, L Grisell Diaz-Ramirez2, W John Boscardin2
1Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Summary
Neighborhood disadvantage and physical disorder are linked to lower muscle strength in middle-aged adults. These environmental factors may negatively impact handgrip strength (HGS) as individuals age.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Muscle strength, measured by handgrip strength (HGS), is crucial for physical function and mortality.
- The influence of the built and social environment on muscle strength is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neighborhood characteristics and muscle strength over time.
- To examine how built and social neighborhood factors impact baseline handgrip strength and its changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2018).
- Employed linear mixed models to analyze 11 built and social neighborhood variables.
- Assessed associations with baseline and longitudinal changes in handgrip strength.
Main Results:
- Higher neighborhood disadvantage was associated with lower baseline HGS in both men and women.
- Increased physical disorder in neighborhoods correlated with reduced baseline HGS.
- A higher number of neighborhood gyms was paradoxically associated with lower baseline HGS.
- No neighborhood features were found to influence the rate of change in HGS over time.
Conclusions:
- Neighborhood disadvantages and physical disorders may present challenges to maintaining muscle strength.
- These findings highlight the potential impact of the living environment on handgrip strength in middle-aged and older adults.
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