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Non-linear Relationships Between the Built Environment and Walking Frequency Among Older Adults in Zhongshan, China

Wu, Jiani ; Zhao, Chunli LU ; Li, Chaoyang ; Wang, Tao ; Wang, Lanjing and Zhang, Yi (2021) In Frontiers in Public Health 9.
Abstract

Aim: Promoting walking activity is an effective way to improve the health of older adults. Walking frequency is a critical component of walking behavior and an essential determinant of daily walking levels. To decipher the association between the built environment and walking frequency among older adults, this study's aims are as follows: (1) to empirically test whether non-linear relationships between the two exist, and (2) to identify the thresholds of the built environment characteristics that promote walking. Methods: The walking frequency of old adults was derived from the Zhongshan Household Travel Survey (ZHTS) in 2012. The sample size of old adults aged 60 or over was 4784 from 274 urban and rural neighborhoods. A... (More)

Aim: Promoting walking activity is an effective way to improve the health of older adults. Walking frequency is a critical component of walking behavior and an essential determinant of daily walking levels. To decipher the association between the built environment and walking frequency among older adults, this study's aims are as follows: (1) to empirically test whether non-linear relationships between the two exist, and (2) to identify the thresholds of the built environment characteristics that promote walking. Methods: The walking frequency of old adults was derived from the Zhongshan Household Travel Survey (ZHTS) in 2012. The sample size of old adults aged 60 or over was 4784 from 274 urban and rural neighborhoods. A semi-parametric generalized additive model (GAMM) is used to analyze the non-linear or non-monotonic relationships between the built environment and the walking frequency among older adults. Results: We found that non-linear relationships exist among five out of the six built environment characteristics. Within certain thresholds, the population density, sidewalk density, bus stop density, land use mixture, and the percentage of green space are positively related to older adults' walking trips. Furthermore, the land use mixture and the percentage of green space show an inverse “V”-shaped relationship. Conclusions: Built environment features can either support or hinder the walking frequency among older adults. The findings in the current study contribute to effective land use and transport policies for promoting active travel among older adults.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
built environment, non-linear, older adults, thresholds, walking frequency
in
Frontiers in Public Health
volume
9
article number
686144
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:34422746
  • scopus:85113202676
ISSN
2296-2565
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2021.686144
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a2851a60-0034-4fd7-bc66-6a2af0e6420a
date added to LUP
2021-09-07 13:58:23
date last changed
2025-01-26 15:00:34
@article{a2851a60-0034-4fd7-bc66-6a2af0e6420a,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aim: Promoting walking activity is an effective way to improve the health of older adults. Walking frequency is a critical component of walking behavior and an essential determinant of daily walking levels. To decipher the association between the built environment and walking frequency among older adults, this study's aims are as follows: (1) to empirically test whether non-linear relationships between the two exist, and (2) to identify the thresholds of the built environment characteristics that promote walking. Methods: The walking frequency of old adults was derived from the Zhongshan Household Travel Survey (ZHTS) in 2012. The sample size of old adults aged 60 or over was 4784 from 274 urban and rural neighborhoods. A semi-parametric generalized additive model (GAMM) is used to analyze the non-linear or non-monotonic relationships between the built environment and the walking frequency among older adults. Results: We found that non-linear relationships exist among five out of the six built environment characteristics. Within certain thresholds, the population density, sidewalk density, bus stop density, land use mixture, and the percentage of green space are positively related to older adults' walking trips. Furthermore, the land use mixture and the percentage of green space show an inverse “V”-shaped relationship. Conclusions: Built environment features can either support or hinder the walking frequency among older adults. The findings in the current study contribute to effective land use and transport policies for promoting active travel among older adults.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wu, Jiani and Zhao, Chunli and Li, Chaoyang and Wang, Tao and Wang, Lanjing and Zhang, Yi}},
  issn         = {{2296-2565}},
  keywords     = {{built environment; non-linear; older adults; thresholds; walking frequency}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Public Health}},
  title        = {{Non-linear Relationships Between the Built Environment and Walking Frequency Among Older Adults in Zhongshan, China}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.686144}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fpubh.2021.686144}},
  volume       = {{9}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}