Within Walking Distance: Characteristics of individuals who say they can walk to local features

Introduction: Walking is a method of physical activity in which nearly everyone can participate. Community features such as stores and public services located in walking distance of residents encourage walking. Methodology: An interviewer-administered survey of 467 residents in three, low-income, urban neighborhoods in New Orleans was conducted in fall 2006. Results: Respondents in each neighborhood were similar in terms of race, age, gender and education (p>0.05). Over half the respondents reported walking for exercise but only one quarter reported walking for transportation. Residents indicated if features such as stores, markets and restaurants were within walking distance. Residents in all three neighborhoods were most likely (70.1%, 79.7%, 86.4%) to say they could walk to a corner store. Across neighborhoods, younger individuals were likely to say a corner store or business such as a bank was within walking distance (43.3yrs v 48.5 yrs, p<0.001). Those with a high school education or less were more likely to say there is a corner store within walking distance (83.6% v 72.9%, p<0.006). Those who walk for either transportation or exercise are more likely to believe that a feature is within walking distance (p<0.05 for corner store, other store, service business, restaurant, public service). We are currently assessing density of businesses in each neighborhood using GIS technology in order to compare actual characteristics with self report. Discussion: Self report of walking and self report of features within walking distance are associated. Having neighborhood features within walking distance may encourage walking.