Environmental predictors of walking among older adults

Background. Primary care physicians are increasingly recommending physical activity (PA) for their older patients. Walking is the most common physical activity chosen by older adults. This study examines the influences of environmental, health, socio-demographic, and environmental characteristics on older adults’ walking behaviors.

Methods.  Online/paper surveys (n=262) were distributed to community-dwelling older (age ≥60) patients from a large integrated health care system in four counties in Central Texas. Logistic regression was used to predict walking ≥150 versus <150 minutes per week in line with meeting the CDC recommended amount of physical activity through walking.

Results. Individuals were older (median age=69 years), of both genders (50.18% female), primarily white (91.67%), and overweight or obese (66.29%).  Approximately, 30% walked ≥150 minutes a week.  Individuals 70 and older were more likely (OR 2.87, CI 1.15-7.19, p<.01) to walk ≥150 minutes per week, while the presence of balance or gait problems was a strong predictor of not walking ≥150 minutes (OR .07, CI 0.01-0.55, p<.05).  Those who perceived their neighborhood environment as safe also tended to walk more (OR 2.41, CI 1.10-5.32, p<.10) than those who felt their neighborhoods were less safe. Other social factors such as having someone to walk with or caregiving responsibilities were not associated with walking ≥150 minutes a week.

Conclusion. Physicians should be aware of and discuss barriers to walking facing older patients.  In providing recommendations, it is important to consider the impact of patients’ perceptions about the safety of their neighborhoods, and offer alternative strategies for achieving PA recommendations.