Objectives. To develop a walkability index specific to mixed rural/suburban areas, and to explore the relationship between walkability scores and leisure time physical activity. Methods. Respondents were geocoded with 500 m and 1,000 m buffer zones around each address. A walkability index was derived from intersections, residential density, and land-use mix according to built environment measur...

This study examined neighborhood built environment characteristics (fast-food restaurant density, walkability) and individual eating-out and physical activity behaviors in relation to 1-year change in body weight among adults 50-75 years of age at baseline. The authors surveyed 1,145 residents recruited from 120 neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. During the 1-year follow-up (2006-2007 to 2007-2...

Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), inactivity levels have grown over last years. Since most individuals in developed countries rely on their private cars for transportation, promotion active modes transport, such as walking or cycling, is a possible and viable strategy to encourage living among workers students. Evidence supports important role built environment modulation PA...

BACKGROUND The impact of moving to a neighborhood more conducive to utilitarian walking on the risk of incident hypertension is uncertain. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to examine the effect of moving to a highly walkable neighborhood on the risk of incident hypertension. METHODS A population-based propensity-score matched cohort study design was used based on the Ontario population from the Ca...

Evidence documents associations between neighborhood design and active and sedentary forms of travel. Most studies compare travel patterns for people located in different types of neighborhoods at one point in time adjusting for demographics. Most fail to account for either underlying neighborhood selection factors (reasons for choosing a neighborhood) or preferences (neighborhoods that are pre...

BACKGROUND The neighborhood environment, as a determinant of walking, has been assessed in several developed countries. However, few studies have investigated these associations in Chinese populations. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between the perceived neighborhood environment and walking for recreation or transportation purposes among Chinese community residents. METHODS We used a ...

Background: Using validated measures of individuals’ perceptions of their neighborhood built environment is important for accurately estimating effects on physical activity. However, no studies to date have examined the factorial validity of a measure of perceived neighborhood environment among older adults in the United States. The purpose of this measurement study was to test the factorial va...

BACKGROUND Using validated measures of individuals' perceptions of their neighborhood built environment is important for accurately estimating effects on physical activity. However, no studies to date have examined the factorial validity of a measure of perceived neighborhood environment among older adults in the United States. The purpose of this measurement study was to test the factorial val...

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to analyze the reliability of the Korean version of the NEWS and to investigate the relationship between walking and environmental factors by gender. METHODS A total of 1407 Korean adults, aged 20-59 yr, participated in the study. Data were collected between Sep 2013 and Oct 2013. To examine the test-retest reliability, 281 of the 1407 participants were ask...