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01-10-2016 | Original Paper

Using Walk Score™ and Neighborhood Perceptions to Assess Walking Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Authors: Samuel D. Towne Jr., Jaewoong Won, Sungmin Lee, Marcia G. Ory, Samuel N. Forjuoh, Suojin Wang, Chanam Lee

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 5/2016

Abstract

We aimed to determine the relationship between neighborhood characteristics (walkability, cohesion/safety) and recommended activity levels among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Subjective and objective data on 394 individuals aged ≥50 years were used to assess the likelihood of walking ≥150 min/week. Environmental factors associated with a greater likelihood of any walking ≥150 min/week included living in a neighborhood with high perception of cohesion/safety versus low, living in walkable areas versus car-dependent, and living in an area with a low-moderate median income versus the lowest. Middle-aged and older adults were more likely to walk ≥150 min/week in a walkable, perceived safe/cohesive neighborhood. Identifying neighborhood factors associated with promoting walking among this population can enable stakeholders (e.g., researchers, planners, and policy makers) to direct interventions focusing on the built environment.

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Title: Using Walk Score™ and Neighborhood Perceptions to Assess Walking Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Samuel D. Towne Jr.
Jaewoong Won
Sungmin Lee
Marcia G. Ory
Samuel N. Forjuoh
Suojin Wang
Chanam Lee
Publication date: 01-10-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-016-0180-z

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Using Walk Score™ and Neighborhood Perceptions to Assess Walking Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

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