Relationship of personal factors and perceived built environmental factors to walking behaviour of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults

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Date
2013-04-03
Authors
Chen, Yijie (Jennifer)
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personal factors and perceived built environmental factors and walking behaviour among middle-aged and older adults. The sample consisted of 647 people aged 45 years and above. Walking behaviour was assessed using pedometers. Decreased walking was significantly associated with increased age (r=-0.366, p<0.001). Education level (F=4.13, p=0.016) and self-rated health status (t=6.07, p<0.001) were positively associated with walking. When considering the effect of age, education level was no longer associated with walking. Better perception of general safety (F=3.105, p=0.005) and fewer safety concerns (F=7.531, p=0.001) were positively associated with walking. Age and self-rated health status jointly contributed to the walking behaviour (p<0.001), explaining 16.2% of the variance. These findings may suggest future neighbourhood interventions for age-friendly communities in Winnipeg, and help to accommodate changes through addressing perceived neighbourhood safety concerns and facilitating increased physical activity among middle-aged and older adults.
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Keywords
Built environment, Walking, Older adults
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