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Exploring the Relationship between Built Environment Attributes and Physical Activity in Lower-Income Aging Adults: Preliminary Insights from a Multi-Level Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Arjan S. Walia

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA)

  • Abby C. King

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
    Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA)

  • Maria I. Campero

    (Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA)

  • Dulce M. Garcia

    (Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA)

  • Rebecca E. Lee

    (Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85004, USA)

  • Astrid N. Zamora

    (Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA)

Abstract

The built environment has been linked to physical activity (PA) behaviors, yet there is limited knowledge of this association among lower-income midlife and older adults who are insufficiently active. The present cross-sectional study utilized baseline data collected between October 2017 and November 2019 from a clustered randomized controlled trial to determine how built environment attributes were associated with PA behaviors among midlife and older adults (n = 255) residing in or near affordable housing sites (n = 10). At each site, perceptions of the built environment were collected and scored at the participant level via the abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Survey (NEWS-A), while objective built environment attributes were measured and scored by trained research staff using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA). Multiple PA behaviors—walking, total PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (min/wk)—were measured using the validated Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire. Adjusted linear regression models examined associations between NEWS-A measures and PA behaviors, and site-level correlations between PARA measures and PA behaviors were examined using Spearman’s rank correlations. At the participant level, adjusted models revealed that a one point increase in the NEWS-A aesthetics score was associated with a 57.37 min/wk increase in walking (β = 57.37 [95% CI: 20.84, 93.91], p = 0.002), with a similar association observed for street connectivity and MVPA (β = 24.31 min/wk [95% CI: 3.22, 45.41], p = 0.02). At the site level, MVPA was positively correlated with the quality of the features of local, PA-supportive environmental resources (ρ = 0.82, p = 0.004). Findings indicate that participant- and site-level measures of the built environment may play a role in promoting PA behavior among this demographic and similar populations. Results also suggest that improvements in aesthetic attributes and street connectivity, along with enhancing the quality of local, PA-supportive environmental resources, may be effective strategies for promoting physical activity among lower-income midlife and older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Arjan S. Walia & Abby C. King & Maria I. Campero & Dulce M. Garcia & Rebecca E. Lee & Astrid N. Zamora, 2024. "Exploring the Relationship between Built Environment Attributes and Physical Activity in Lower-Income Aging Adults: Preliminary Insights from a Multi-Level Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:607-:d:1391350
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    References listed on IDEAS

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