Relaties tussen de fysieke omgeving en wandelen voor transport bij oudere volwassenen.

Background: The physical environment may play a crucial role in promoting walking for transportation among older adults. However, previous studies on the relationship between the physical environment and older adults' physical activity behaviors have reported inconsistent findings. A possible explanation for these inconsistencies is the focus upon studying environmental factors separately rather than simultaneously. Current study aims to investigate the cumulative influence of perceived favorable environmental factors on older adults' walking for transportation. Additionally, the moderating effect of perceived distance to destinations on this relationship is studied.
Methods: The sample was comprised of 50,685 Belgian older adults. Data on demographics, environmental perceptions and walking for transportation were collected by self-administered questionnaires in the period 2004-2010. An environmental index was constructed to investigate the cumulative influence of favorable environmental factors. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were applied to predict probabilities of daily walking for transportation.
Results: For short distance to destinations, probability of daily walking for transportation was significantly higher when seven compared to three, four or five favorable environmental factors were present. For medium distance to destinations, probabilities significantly increased for an increase from zero to four favorable environmental factors. For large distance to destinations, no relationship between the environmental index and walking for transportation was observed.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the presence of multiple favorable environmental factors can motivate older adults to walk medium distances to facilities. Policy makers should take into account the environmental context in which they plan environmental modifications aimed at promoting walking for transportation among older adults.