Objective and Subjective Physical Measures of the Neighbourhood Environment among Older People

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the relation between objective and subjective neighbourhood walkability and its impact on the physical activity level of older adults. The correlations were used to signify older people's level of physical activity in Johor Bahru neighbourhoods, Malaysia. The results show residents in a highly dense area with higher accessibility to facilities perceived higher walkability level but showed a lower actual physical activity level. People living in high intersection density areas who recognised high walkability demonstrated higher physical activity level, while residents in a highly dense area with higher accessibility show lower physical activity level. This implies that neighbourhoods with high intersection density demonstrated a highly walkable environment rather than neighbourhoods with high density and high accessibility.