Citation

Shimura H, Winkler E, Owen N. J. Phys. Act. Health 2013; 11(6): 1078-1084.

Affiliation

Dept of Physical and Health Education, Graduate School of Education, Tokyo, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23799264

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We examined associations of individual, psychosocial and environmental characteristics with four-year changes in walking among middle-to-older aged adults; few such studies have employed prospective designs. METHODS: Walking for transport and walking for recreation were assessed during 2003-2004 (baseline) and 2007-2008 (follow-up) among 445 adults aged 50-65 years residing in Adelaide, Australia. Logistic regression analyses examined predictors of being in the highest quintile of decline in walking (21.4 minutes/day or more reduction in walking for transport; 18.6 minutes/day or more reduction in walking for recreation). RESULTS: Declines in walking for transport were related to higher level of walking at baseline, low perceived benefits of activity, low family social support, a medium level of social interaction, low sense of community, and higher neighborhood walkability. Declines in walking for recreation were related to higher level of walking at baseline, low self-efficacy for activity, low family social support, and a medium level of available walking facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Declines in middle-to-older aged adults' walking for transport and walking for recreation have differing personal, psychosocial and built-environment correlates, for which particular preventive strategies may be developed. Targeted campaigns, community-based programs and environmental and policy initiatives can be informed by these findings.

Language: en