Abstract
Older residents of high-deprivation areas walk less than those of low-deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that neighborhood built environment may support and encourage outdoor walking. The extent to which the built environment supports and encourages walking is called “walkability”. This study examines inequalities in neighborhood walkability in high- versus low-deprivation areas and their possible influences on disparities in older adults’ outdoor walking levels. For this purpose, it focuses on specific neighborhood built environment attributes (residential density, land-use mix and intensity, street connectivity, and retail density) relevant to neighborhood walkability. It applied a mixed-method approach, included 173 participants (≥65 years), and used a Geographic Information System (GIS) and walking interviews (with a sub-sample) to objectively and subjectively measure neighborhood built environment attributes. Outdoor walking levels were measured by using the Geographic Positioning System (GPS) technology. Data on personal characteristics was collected by completing a questionnaire. The results show that inequalities in certain land-use intensity (i.e., green spaces, recreation centers, schools and industries) in high- versus low-deprivation areas may influence disparities in older adults’ outdoor walking levels. Modifying neighborhood land use intensity may help to encourage outdoor walking in high-deprivation areas.
Highlights
Outdoor walking refers to total walking for different purposes—including transport, recreation and exercise—in outdoor space
Identifying inequalities in neighborhood walkability and finding shortcomings for supporting older adults’ outdoor walking in high-deprivation areas may benefit urban planning interventions
Consistent with previous studies on older adults [54,59], this study showed that intensities of specific land uses in neighborhoods are related to outdoor walking levels
Summary
Outdoor walking refers to total walking for different purposes—including transport, recreation and exercise—in outdoor space. It is a type of physical activity and has certain benefits for healthy aging [1,2]. Physical activity guidelines recommend older adults to take outdoor walks [3,4] Despite this widespread knowledge, there is prevalence of physical inactivity among majority of older adults [3,5], among older residents of high-deprivation areas (areas with high levels of social and economic disadvantages) of cities [6,7]. These findings highlight the importance of promoting outdoor walking levels among older adults, among older residents of high-deprivation areas
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More From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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