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The associations between neighborhood walkability attributes and objectively measured physical activity in older adults.

Authors :
Chen, Bo-I
Hsueh, Ming-Chun
Rutherford, Ru
Park, Jong-Hwan
Liao, Yung
Source :
PLoS ONE. 9/6/2019, Vol. 14 Issue 9, p1-12. 12p.
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

A limited number of studies have used objective measures to examine the associations between the built environment and physical activity (PA) among older adults. This study aimed to examine geographic information systems-derived neighborhood walkability attributes and accelerometer measured PA in older adults. Data were collected from 124 older Taiwanese adults aged over 60 years (mean age: 69.9). Adjusted multiple linear regression was performed to explore the associations between five neighborhood walkability factors (population density, street connectivity, sidewalk availability, access to destinations, and public transportation) and five metrics of accelerometer-measured physical activity (total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, light PA, long moderate-to-vigorous PA bouts, and daily step counts). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that greater sidewalk availability was positively associated with daily step counts in older adults (β = 0.165; 95% confidence interval: 0.006, 0.412; P = 0.043). No associations between other neighborhood environment attributes and PA metrics were observed. In conclusion, high sidewalk availability in the neighborhood may be supportive for older adults’ daily step counts. Further longitudinal research is needed to establish the causality between the built environment and objectively measured PA in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
14
Issue :
9
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
138489003
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222268