Built Environment and Walking Behavior Among Brazilian Older Adults: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the built environment influence on specific domains of walking is important for public health interventions to increase physical activity levels among older adults.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to investigate the association between built environment characteristics and walking among older adults.

METHODS

A population-based study was performed in 80 census tracts in Florianopolis, Brazil, including 1,705 older adults (60+ years old). Walking was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Built environment characteristics were assessed through a geographic information system. All analyses were conducted through a multilevel logistic regression.

RESULTS

Individuals living in neighborhoods with a higher population density (odds ratio [OR]: 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-3.42), with a higher street connectivity (OR: 1.85; 95% CI, 1.16-2.94), a higher sidewalk proportion (OR: 1.77; 95% CI, 1.11-2.83), and paved streets (medium tertile: OR: 1.61, 95% CI, 1.04-2.49; highest tertile: OR: 2.11; 95% CI, 1.36-3.27) were more likely to walk for transportation. Regarding walking for leisure, only 2 predictors were associated, area income (OR: 1.48; 95% CI, 1.04-2.12) and street density (OR: 1.47; 95% CI, 1.02-2.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Improving the neighborhood built environment is an important step for achieving higher levels of walking in the elderly population in a middle-income country.