Kegler Michelle C, Alcantara Iris, Haardörfer Regine, Gemma Alexandra, Ballard Denise, Gazmararian Julie
Dept of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory Prevention Research Center, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
J Phys Act Health. 2015 Jun 16;12 Suppl 1:S40-5. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2013-0431.
Physical activity levels, including walking, are lower in the southern U.S., particularly in rural areas. This study investigated the concept of rural neighborhood walkability to aid in developing tools for assessing walkability and to identify intervention targets in rural communities.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physically active adults (n = 29) in rural Georgia. Mean age of participants was 55.9 years; 66% were male, 76% were white, and 24% were African American. Participants drew maps of their neighborhoods and discussed the relevance of typical domains of walkability to their decisions to exercise. Comparative analyses were conducted to identify major themes.
The majority felt the concept of neighborhood was applicable and viewed their neighborhood as small geographically (less than 0.5 square miles). Sidewalks were not viewed as essential for neighborhood-based physical activity and typical destinations for walking were largely absent. Destinations within walking distance included neighbors' homes and bodies of water. Views were mixed on whether shade, safety, dogs, and aesthetics affected decisions to exercise in their neighborhoods.
Measures of neighborhood walkability in rural areas should acknowledge the small size of self-defined neighborhoods, that walking in rural areas is likely for leisure time exercise, and that some domains may not be relevant.
美国南部，包括步行在内的身体活动水平较低，尤其是在农村地区。本研究调查了农村邻里适宜步行性的概念，以协助开发评估适宜步行性的工具，并确定农村社区的干预目标。
对佐治亚州农村地区身体活跃的成年人（n = 29）进行了半结构化访谈。参与者的平均年龄为55.9岁；66%为男性，76%为白人，24%为非裔美国人。参与者绘制了他们邻里的地图，并讨论了适宜步行性的典型领域与他们锻炼决策的相关性。进行了比较分析以确定主要主题。
大多数人认为邻里概念适用，并将他们的邻里视为地理范围较小（小于0.5平方英里）的区域。人行道不被视为基于邻里的身体活动所必需的，而且基本上没有典型的步行目的地。步行距离内的目的地包括邻居的家以及水体。对于树荫、安全、狗和美观是否影响他们在邻里锻炼的决策，看法不一。
农村地区邻里适宜步行性的衡量标准应承认自我定义邻里的小范围规模、农村地区的步行可能是为了休闲锻炼，以及某些领域可能不相关。
