Positive Association of Physical Activity with Both Objective and Perceived Measures of the Neighborhood Environment among Older Adults: The Aichi Workers’ Cohort Study

Yuanying Li, Hiroshi Yatsuya, Tomoya Hanibuchi, Atsuhiko Ota, Hisao Naito, Rei Otsuka, Chiyoe Murata, Yoshihisa Hirakawa, Chifa Chiang, Mayu Uemura, Koji Tamakoshi and Atsuko Aoyama
Additional contact information
Yuanying Li: Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
Hiroshi Yatsuya: Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
Tomoya Hanibuchi: Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
Atsuhiko Ota: Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
Hisao Naito: Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
Rei Otsuka: Section of NILS-LSA, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
Chiyoe Murata: Department of Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
Yoshihisa Hirakawa: Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
Chifa Chiang: Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
Mayu Uemura: Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
Koji Tamakoshi: Department of Nursing, Nagoya University School of Health Science, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
Atsuko Aoyama: Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi 466-8550, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: We examined the association between objective and perceived neighborhood characteristics and self-reported leisure-time physical activity (PA) in older Japanese residents living in areas ranging from metropolitan to rural in 2016. Objective measures used were walkability and the numbers of parks/green spaces and sports facilities within 500 or 1000 m of subjects’ homes, calculated using geographic information systems. Subjective measures were the subjects’ perceptions of their neighborhoods, assessed using a structured questionnaire. All variables were divided into three groups, and the lowest tertile was used as the reference. We assessed the location and frequency of strolling or brisk walking, moderate-intensity PA, and vigorous-intensity PA (sports) using a self-reported questionnaire and defined as performing a certain type of PA 3–4 times/week as a habit. Living in a neighborhood in the highest tertile for walkability and number of parks/green spaces as well as perception of having good access to recreational facilities, observing others exercising and the presence of walkable sidewalks was associated with walking and sports habits (multivariable odds ratios (ORs): 1.33–2.46, all p < 0.05). Interestingly, objective measures of PA-friendly environmental features were inversely associated with moderate-intensity PA habits, potentially because moderate-intensity PA consisted predominantly of gardening. In conclusion, living in an environment supportive of PA, whether objectively or subjectively measured, is related to leisure-time PA habits among older Japanese adults.

Keywords: built environment; geographic information systems; perception; physical activity; older adults; observational study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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