Association of the built environment with physical activity and obesity in older persons.
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| Title: | Association of the built environment with physical activity and obesity in older persons. |
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| Authors: | Berke EM (AUTHOR), Koepsell TD (AUTHOR), Moudon AV (AUTHOR), Hoskins RE (AUTHOR), Larson EB (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | American Journal of Public Health. Mar2007, Vol. 97 Issue 3, p486-492. 7p. |
| Subjects: | Built environment, Exercise for older people, Walking, Obesity, Human ecology |
| Geographic Terms: | King County (Wash.), Washington (State) |
| Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: We examined whether older persons who live in areas that are conducive to walking are more active or less obese than those living in areas where walking is more difficult. METHODS: We used data from the Adult Changes in Thought cohort study for a cross-sectional analysis of 936 participants aged 65 to 97 years. The Walkable and Bikable Communities Project previously formulated a walkability score to predict the probability of walking in King County, Washington. Data from the cohort study were linked to the walkability score at the participant level using a geographic information system. Analyses tested for associations between walkability score and activity and body mass index. RESULTS: Higher walkability scores were associated with significantly more walking for exercise across buffers (circular zones around each respondent's home) of varying radii (for men, odds ratio [OR]=5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01, 34.17 to OR=9.14; CI=1.23, 68.11; for women, OR=1.63; CI=0.94, 2.83 to OR=1.77; CI=1.03, 3.04). A trend toward lower body mass index in men living in more walkable neighborhoods did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that neighborhood characteristics are associated with the frequency of walking for physical activity in older people. Whether frequency of walking reduces obesity prevalence is less clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: We examined whether older persons who live in areas that are conducive to walking are more active or less obese than those living in areas where walking is more difficult. METHODS: We used data from the Adult Changes in Thought cohort study for a cross-sectional analysis of 936 participants aged 65 to 97 years. The Walkable and Bikable Communities Project previously formulated a walkability score to predict the probability of walking in King County, Washington. Data from the cohort study were linked to the walkability score at the participant level using a geographic information system. Analyses tested for associations between walkability score and activity and body mass index. RESULTS: Higher walkability scores were associated with significantly more walking for exercise across buffers (circular zones around each respondent's home) of varying radii (for men, odds ratio [OR]=5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01, 34.17 to OR=9.14; CI=1.23, 68.11; for women, OR=1.63; CI=0.94, 2.83 to OR=1.77; CI=1.03, 3.04). A trend toward lower body mass index in men living in more walkable neighborhoods did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that neighborhood characteristics are associated with the frequency of walking for physical activity in older people. Whether frequency of walking reduces obesity prevalence is less clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00900036 |
| DOI: | 10.2105/AJPH.2006.085837 |
