Abstract
A walkable neighborhood becomes particularly important for older adults for whom physical activity and active transportation are critical for healthy aging-in-place. For many older adults, regular walking takes place in the neighborhood and is the primary mode of mobility. This study took place in eight neighborhoods in Metro Portland (USA) and Metro Vancouver (Canada), examining older adults' walking behavior and neighborhood built environmental features. Older adults reported walking for recreation and transport in a cross-sectional telephone survey. Information on physical activity was combined with audits of 355 street segments using the Senior Walking Environmental Audit Tool-Revised (SWEAT-R). Multi-level regression models examined the relationship between built environmental characteristics and walking for transport or recreation. Older adults [N = 434, mean age: 71.6 (SD = 8.1)] walked more for transport in high-density neighborhoods and in Metro Vancouver compared to Metro Portland (M = 12.8 vs. M = 2.2 min/day; p < 0.001). No relationship was found between population density and walking for recreation. Older adults spent more time walking for transport if pedestrian crossing were present (p = 0.037) and if parks or outdoor fitness amenities were available (p = 0.022). The immediate neighborhood built environment supports walking for transport in older adults. Comparing two similar metropolitan areas highlighted that high population density is necessary, yet not a sufficient condition for walking in the neighborhood.
Highlights
The literature widely supports the health benefits for older adults who engage in regular physical activity [e.g., [1, 2]]
Comparing districts in Metro Portland and Metro Vancouver with high density and low density, significant differences were found for education attainment, mean temperature, duration of residency in the neighborhood and both walking measures
Descriptive audit data revealed an additional source of information about the variations between the high-density districts in Metro Vancouver (Burnaby, Vancouver) and Metro Portland (Milwaukie, Mount Tabor)
Summary
The literature widely supports the health benefits for older adults who engage in regular physical activity [e.g., [1, 2]]. Thereby, walking is the most popular form of physical activity among older adults [3, 4]. As postulated by social-ecological models, walking is affected by multiple levels of influence, including the built environment [6, 7]. Walking needs to be analyzed from a multilevel perspective bringing together individual characteristics and physical environmental features. Older adults with declined functioning are more likely to be more affected than other age groups by the neighborhood built environmental features as being supportive or restrictive [8]
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