Abstract
BackgroundNeighborhood environments have been regularly associated with the weight status. Although the evidence is mostly limited to adults residing in western urban settings, the weight status of older adults living in rural areas is also assumed to be significantly affected by their neighborhood environments. This study aimed to identify environmental attributes specific to rural areas that could affect the risk of longitudinal weight gain among older adults (≥ 65 years) in Japan.MethodsWe examined five environmental attributes, i.e., land slope, public transportation accessibility, residential density, intersection density, and the availability of parks and recreational centers, measured by the geographic information system. Our analysis was based on 714 subjects participated in Shimane Community-based Healthcare Research and Education study in 2012 and 2015. Multinomial logistic regression model was conducted to examine the association between each neighborhood environmental attribute and weight change status (gain, loss and unchanged).ResultsWe observed a significant increase in the risk of weight gain as the steepness of the neighborhood land slope increased. There was no significant association between other environmental attributes and risk of weight gain as well as weight loss among older adults.ConclusionLiving in hilly neighborhoods was associated with increased risk of weight gain among rural Japanese older adults. Future research should consider region-specific environmental attributes when investigating their effect on older adults’ weight status.
Highlights
IntroductionThe evidence is mostly limited to adults residing in western urban settings, the weight status of older adults living in rural areas is assumed to be significantly affected by their neighborhood environments
Neighborhood environments have been regularly associated with the weight status
One study found a negative association between land slope and the likelihood of engagement in sports among older adults, i.e. living in hilly neighborhood was associated with lower likelihood of sports activity [23]
Summary
The evidence is mostly limited to adults residing in western urban settings, the weight status of older adults living in rural areas is assumed to be significantly affected by their neighborhood environments. This study aimed to identify environmental attributes specific to rural areas that could affect the risk of longitudinal weight gain among older adults (≥ 65 years) in Japan. Weight change among older adults increases their mortality risk [1] This has been established in several longitudinal studies [2, 3]. These urban environmental measures are not thought to be associated with the health behaviors of the rural population [13, 14] and are rarely applicable in the assessment of rural neighborhood environments [15]. There is a lack of studies in rural settings, especially among elderly people
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
