Stages of Change in Physical Activity and Neighborhood Walkability Among Older Adults living in the Urban Setting

Abstract Insufficient physical activity (PA) is considered an independent risk factor for chronic diseases. Although older adults living in lower-income areas often experience obstacles to walking locally, few studies have compared their walking experiences and the degree of readiness to change on engaging in PA. The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability by the stages of change among older adults living in a lower-income community. Participants were recruited in 2018 at a regional health clinic in Flint, MI. To be eligible, participants had to be over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD=5.00) years old. The majority of respondents were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (75%); and educated below a GED level (84%). The results showed that older adults at the pre-contemplation/contemplation stage (PC/C) were less likely to perceive the availability of sidewalks on most streets and more likely to complain about much traffic along the street than those at the action/maintenance stage (A/M) (p<0.05). After controlling for covariates, multiple regression analysis showed that those at PC/C were less likely to state that their neighborhoods were accessible (β = .17*) and to perceive the presence of walking hazard (e.g., lack of sidewalks) (β = -.17*). Those who engaged in PA less than 30 minutes per day perceived the neighborhoods were accessible (β = .23*). Findings suggest that it is essential to develop friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

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Neighborhood Walkability Among Older Adults With and Without Physical Disabilities

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.960 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 300-300

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Noah Webster

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Daily Living ◽

Physical Disabilities ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Lower Income ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Health Promotion Programs ◽

The Mean

Abstract Older adults with physical disabilities (PDs) often experience obstacles to walking locally. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available in lower income, few studies have compared the walking experiences of older adults in these communities who have PDs with those who do not. The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability among adults living in lower income communities with and without PDs. Participants (N=132) were recruited in 2018 at a regional health clinic in Flint, MI. To be eligible, participants had to be over 65 years old and Flint residents. A subsample (N=12) were then followed up with in 2019/2020. We defined PDs as having difficulty performing one or more activities of daily living. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed. Of the 132 participants, the mean age in 2018 was 69.75 (SD=5.00). The majority were female (68%); African American (80%); single, divorced, or widowed (80%); and educated below GED level (84%). Older adults with PDs were less likely than those without to visit stores within walking distance and walk in their neighborhoods, and more likely to complain about a lot of traffic along the street. Analysis of the longitudinal data show that older adults who had PDs at time 1 were more likely at time 2 to 1) state that their neighborhoods were unsafe; and 2) perceive their neighborhoods more negatively. Findings suggest it is essential to develop disability-friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower income communities.

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Planning Walkable Neighborhoods for “Aging in Place”: Lessons from Five Aging-Friendly Districts in Singapore

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13041742 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1742

Author(s):

Yiqi Tao ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Zhonghua Gou ◽

Boya Jiang ◽

Yi Qi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Aging In Place ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Site Survey ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Mean ◽

A Site ◽

The City

Today, “walkability” is considered a critical component of an aging-friendly neighborhood. This study examined the relationships between the neighborhood physical environment, walkability, and physical activity levels of older residents in Singapore. Five neighborhoods notable for their “aging in place” strategies were selected for a site survey. A questionnaire focusing on the evaluation of neighborhood walkability was administered to older adults in these neighborhoods. The questionnaire included three sections: neighborhood satisfaction, walkability, and the daily physical activity of older adults. The results indicated that adequate physical facilities and connectivity to the city were critical to older adults’ satisfaction with their neighborhoods. The mean walking time significantly dropped as the number of nearby facilities increased, and the number of facilities was negatively correlated with the daily activity levels of older adults. Thus, planners should attempt to calibrate the provision of neighborhood facilities to maintain the physical activity levels of older adults.

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Neighborhood walkability and health outcomes among older adults: The mediating role of physical activity

Health & Place ◽

10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.11.003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

pp. 16-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Jelle Van Cauwenberg ◽

Veerle Van Holle ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Delfien Van Dyck ◽

Benedicte Deforche

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Mediating Role

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Functional Limitations and Perceived Neighborhood Walkability Among Urban Dwelling Older Adults

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.675799 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Noah J. Webster ◽

Shailee Shah

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

General Education ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Lower Income ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

General Education Development ◽

Education Development ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Walkability

Older adults with functional limitations (FLs) often experience obstacles to walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available in lower-income areas, few studies have compared the walking experiences of older adults who have FLs with those who do not in the community. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability among older adults living in lower-income communities with and without FLs. Participants (N = 132) were recruited in 2018 at regional health clinics in Flint, Michigan. To be eligible, participants had to be 65 years of age or older, report no cognitive decline, and be Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD = 4.97). The majority were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (72%); educated below the General Education Development level (57%), and had a FL (67%). Older adults with FLs were significantly (p < 0.05) less likely than those without to visit many places within walking distance, to have well-lit neighborhoods at night, and to reside in neighborhoods where sidewalks were separated from the road and traffic. Multiple regression analyses revealed that having a FL was associated with poorer neighborhood perceptions of mixed-land-use (b = −0.19, p < 0.05) and more walking hazards (b = −0.26, p < 0.05). Findings suggest that a FL is associated with perceptions of walkability. It is essential to develop disability-friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

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Barriers to Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women During Pregnancy

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS) ◽

10.31344/ijhhs.v5i0.314 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 23

Author(s):

Fatima Aslam ◽

Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz ◽

Nurjasmine Aida Jamani ◽

Razman Mohd Rus

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Epigastric Discomfort ◽

Primary Health ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Co-morbidities such as obesity, gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension during pregnancy can be dangerous to the mother and foetus. Regular physical activity during pregnancy not only maintains maternal and foetal wellbeing, but it also maintains physical fitness and brings various health benefits. However, many women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy.Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to identify the barriers that could prevent pregnant mothers from doing physical activities.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 168 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years between gestational age 12 to 35 weeks in a primary health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang. Their socio-demographic characteristics were recorded, and barriers for physical activity assessed through a set of pre-tested questionnaire.Descriptive statisticswere used to describe the sociodemographiccharacteristics and the barriers.Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.0 (3.6) and majority of them were of Malay ethnicity from B40 group. Two thirds (74.4%) had tertiary education and 66.7% were working mothers. More than half (53.0%) of the participants wereoverweight and obese.Moreover, 58% of the participants had leg cramp and 63.1% felt fatigue. Almost 80.4% had backache and 46.4% had epigastric discomfort.Conclusion: Barriers such as leg cramp, backache, fatigue and epigastric discomfort could prevent pregnant women from conducting physical activities. Opportunistic recommendation by physician and concerns on the physical activity should be addressed.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S23

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THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCED THE INCIDENCE OF FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1076 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S292-S292

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Shailee Shah ◽

Sabah Ganai ◽

Kimberly Warden

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Built Environment ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Underserved Community

Abstract The built environment is commonly cited as a facilitator to local walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available, few studies have investigated the associations of the perceived neighborhoods with the incidence of falls in the minority communities. Hence, the purpose of this preliminary study was to understand whether the perceived built environment influenced the fall experiences in older adults living in the underserved community. The preliminary cross-sectional survey was conducted at the regional health clinic in Flint, MI. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using SAS v8.4. The eligibility criteria included over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of 132 participants, the mean age was 69.75 (SD=5.00). The majority were female (68%), African Americans (80%), single, divorced or widowed (80%), and > GED (84%). The ANOVAs supported that “had fallen in the past year” was associated with “stores are within easy walking distance,” “easy to walk to a transit stop” and “there is a dirt strip that separates the streets from the sidewalks.” The fall experience was more likely to associate with the sedentary lifestyle and the comorbidities such as diabetes, fatigues, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. To summarize, the built environment increased the incidence of falls in the past year. Those who had fallen had poor health conditions. Further studies are needed for older adults to engage in physical activity. It is essential to develop the age-friendly support systems and accommodations to local walking in this community.

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