The impact of neighborhood walkability on walking: does it differ across adult life stage and does neighborhood buffer size matter?

Health Place. 2014 Jan:25:43-6. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.10.005. Epub 2013 Nov 2.

Abstract

We explored the impact of neighborhood walkability on young adults, early-middle adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults' walking across different neighborhood buffers. Participants completed the Western Australian Health and Wellbeing Surveillance System Survey (2003-2009) and were allocated a neighborhood walkability score at 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m around their home. We found little difference in strength of associations across neighborhood size buffers for all life stages. We conclude that neighborhood walkability supports more walking regardless of adult life stage and is relevant for small (e.g., 200m) and larger (e.g., 1600m) neighborhood buffers.

Keywords: Adults; Life stage; Neighborhood buffer; Walkability; Walking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Environment Design*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Walking / statistics & numerical data*
  • Western Australia / epidemiology
  • Young Adult