Physical and social environmental changes to promote walking among Dutch older adults in deprived neighbourhoods: the NEW.ROADS study.

R G Prins,J M De Graaf,A Oenema,F J Van Lenthe,C B M Kamphuis

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3563-2

R G Prins, J M De Graaf + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3563-2

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Abstract

BackgroundPhysical activity is important for healthy ageing, and daily walking is seen as a feasible way to be active at older ages. Yet, many older persons, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups and residing in deprived neighbourhoods, are insufficiently active. Creating a physical and social neighbourhood environment that is more supportive for walking has the potential to improve walking behaviour. Current evidence of the impact of changes to the physical and/or social environmental on walking behaviour is scarce. The aim of the NEW.ROADS study is to design, implement and evaluate changes to the physical and social environment for the purpose of increasing walking behaviour among older residents of deprived neighbourhoods.MethodsPhysical and social environmental interventions were developed by matching scientific evidence on environmental determinants of walking, with input from the target population and stakeholders, and ongoing neighbourhood activities. Specifically, a neighbourhood walking route was designed and marked, and neighbourhood walking groups were organised. These environmental interventions were evaluated in a four-armed experimental study. In addition, the design of the study to evaluate the effect of these environmental changes on walking behaviour is described.DiscussionDesigning and implementing environmental interventions is a complex endeavour, challenged by limited available theory and evidence. Input from the target population and professional stakeholders is essential, but may also put constraints on the evaluation.Trial registrationNTR3800 (registered 9/1/2013)

Highlights

Physical activity is important for healthy ageing, and daily walking is seen as a feasible way to be active at older ages
The current paper describes the development of these interventions and the design of the evaluation study, in which the separate and combined effects of the social and physical environmental interventions were tested
Development of the environmental interventions The development of the physical and social environmental intervention was based on three elements: 1) scientific evidence on important environmental determinants of walking among older persons, 2) input from the target population about environmental factors perceived to be relevant for walking and 3) the need to align the interventions with ongoing activities in the neighbourhoods as organised by other stakeholders

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity is important for healthy ageing, and daily walking is seen as a feasible way to be active at older ages. Many older persons, in lower socioeconomic groups and residing in deprived neighbourhoods, are insufficiently active. Current evidence of the impact of changes to the physical and/or social environmental on walking behaviour is scarce. The aim of the NEW.ROADS study is to design, implement and evaluate changes to the physical and social environment for the purpose of increasing walking behaviour among older residents of deprived neighbourhoods. There is a need to promote physical activity among a wide population of older adults, and among the socioeconomically disadvantaged. Walking is seen as important type of physical activity for this purpose; it does not require specific facilities or equipment, can be done at older ages and for free

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