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. 2017 Jul;25(3):420-431.
doi: 10.1123/japa.2016-0165. Epub 2016 Dec 19.

Exploring the Objective and Perceived Environmental Attributes of Older Adults' Neighborhood Walking Routes: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Mika R Moran, Perla Werner, Israel Doron, Neta HaGani, Yael Benvenisti, Abby C King, Sandra J Winter, Jylana L Sheats, Randi Garber, Hadas Motro, Shlomit Ergon

Exploring the Objective and Perceived Environmental Attributes of Older Adults' Neighborhood Walking Routes: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Mika R Moran et al. J Aging Phys Act. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Walking is a central form of physical activity among older adults that is associated with the physical environment at various scales. This mixed-methods study employs a concurrent nested design to explore objective and perceived environmental characteristics of older adults' local walking routes. This was achieved by integrating quantitative Geographic Information System (GIS) data with qualitative data obtained using the Stanford Discovery Tool (DT). Fifty-nine community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (14 men and 45 women aged 50+) were recruited in a snowball approach through community centers in the city of Haifa (Israel). Four neighborhood environment themes were identified: pedestrian infrastructure, access to destinations, aesthetics, and environmental quality. Both geometrical traits (i.e., distance, slope) and urban features (i.e., land-uses, greenery) of the route may impact the experience of walking. The findings thus highlight the importance of micro-scale environmental elements in shaping environmental perceptions, which may consequently influence the choice of being active.

Keywords: GIS; content analysis; neighborhood; walking.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Selected photos taken by participants with the DT.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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