Walking Behavior of Older Adults in Temuco, Chile: The Contribution of the Built Environment and Socio-Demographic Factors

Mohammad Paydar () and Asal Kamani Fard
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Mohammad Paydar: Escuela de Arquitectura Temuco, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Av. Alemania 0281, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Asal Kamani Fard: Universidad Católica del Maule, San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Chile

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: The amount of walking for daily transport has decreased significantly over the last decades in Temuco, Chile. Moreover, the percentage of older adults (aged over 65) who did not meet the recommendations of at least 150 min of physical activity per week has increased during this time. In this regard, the present study examines the contribution of socio-demographic and built environment factors on the walking behavior of older adults in Temuco, Chile, with a view to improving their level of physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 463 older adults aged 60 years and over. Travel Diary Data taken from “Encuesta Origin Destino” (EOD) 2013, Geographic information systems (GIS), audits (PEDS with certain revisions) and finally, multiple regression analysis, were used to examine the objectives. Associations were found between the walking behavior of older adults and several socio-demographic factors, as well as several built environment factors including destination (the number of parks and the land use mix), functionality (street connectivity, length of street sections and off-street parking lots) and aesthetics (views of nature, building height, and articulation in building design). These findings should be considered by urban/transport policymakers to improve the walking behavior of older adults in this city.

Keywords: walking behavior; older adults; socio-demographic factors; built environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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