Differences in the Correlation between the Built Environment and Walking, Moderate, and Vigorous Physical Activity among the Elderly in Low- and High-Income Areas

Impacts of active mobility on individual health mediated by physical activities

Active mobility, encompassing walking and cycling for transportation, is a potential solution to health issues arising from inadequate physical activity in modern society. However, the extent of active mobility's impact on individual physical activity levels, and its association with health as mediated by physical activities, is not fully quantified. This study aims to clarify the direct relationship between active mobility usage and individual health, as well as the indirect relationship mediated by physical activity, with a focus on varying levels of physical activity intensity. Utilizing data from the 2017 U.S. National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), we employed Poisson regression to predict active mobility usage based on socio-demographic and household socio-economic characteristics. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was then used to investigate the direct and indirect effects of active mobility on individual health, mediated by physical activity. We further segmented individuals according to their intensity of physical activity to examine how such effect differs between different levels of physical activity. The study demonstrates that active mobility usage positively correlates with both the amount and intensity of physical activity. The effect of active mobility on individual health includes a direct positive effect (29% for intensity, 67.7% for amount) and an indirect effect mediated by physical activity (71% for intensity, 32.3% for amount). Notably, the mediation effect of active mobility on health is more substantial in the context of vigorous physical activities compared to light or moderate activities. Our findings reveal a significant positive influence of active mobility on individual health, encompassing both direct and indirect effects mediated by physical activities. These results quantitatively underscore the health benefits of active mobility and suggest the importance of promoting active mobility as a strategy to improve public health.

Exploring the nexus between physical environments, resident preferences, and usage frequency of community centers: Evidence from two Korean neighborhoods in Seoul

Community centers offer a public space for physical activities, attracting residents with diverse interests and abilities, and promoting social interaction and connection, which in turn enhances individuals' physical and mental fitness and fosters a sense of community. When exploring the correlation between community space accessibility and usage frequency, it is crucial to consider empirical evidence and resident preferences. Nevertheless, the role of physical environments in determining community center usage frequency, while also considering residents' inclination for effortless access, remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of resident preferences and satisfaction with the accessibility of community centers and physical environments on usage frequency, addressing a gap in previous research. Structural equation models were utilized to analyze a household drop-off survey consisting of 186 residents gathered from two neighborhoods in Korea. The results revealed that while the preference for easy access to community centers did not have a substantial effect on their usage frequency, satisfaction with easy access to such centers was positively linked to usage frequency. Furthermore, the perception of physical environments as being walkable and having a diverse range of amenities was associated with a higher frequency of community center usage. These findings have policy implications as they can help increase the usage frequency of community centers and enhance overall well-being in regenerated neighborhoods.

Socioeconomic differences in associations between living in a 20-min neighbourhood and diet, physical activity and self-rated health: Cross-sectional findings from ProjectPLAN

The 20-min neighbourhood (20MN) concept aims to enable residents to meet daily needs using resources within a 20-min trip from home noting that there is no single definition of what services and amenities are required for daily needs nor what modes of transport constitute a 20 min trip. Whether 20MNs promote better health and whether associations differ by socio-economic status (SES) is unknown. Using cross-sectional data from adults randomly sampled in 2018-19 from Melbourne or Adelaide, Australia, we examined whether associations between neighbourhood type (20MN/non-20MN) and diet, physical activity or self-rated health vary according to individual- or area-level SES. We found no consistent patterns of interactions. The results do not consistently support the often assumed belief that 20MNs support more healthful behaviour and that these relationships vary by SES.

Short-Form Video Exposure and Its Two-Sided Effect on the Physical Activity of Older Community Women in China: Secondary Data Analysis

Background

There is a tendency for older adults to become more physically inactive, especially older women. Physical inactivity has been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and information-based preventive measures for COVID-19 increased the number of short-form video app users and short-form video exposure, including content exposure and the duration of exposure, which has demonstrated important effects on youths' health and health-related behaviors. Despite more older adults viewing short-form videos, less is known about the status of their short-form video exposure or the impacts of the exposure on their physical activity.

Objective

This study aims to describe physical activity-related content exposure among older adults and to quantify its impacts along with the duration of short-form video exposure on step counts, low-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Methods

We analyzed a subsample (N=476) of older women who used smartphones and installed short-form video apps, using the baseline data collected from an ongoing cohort study named the Physical Activity and Health in Older Women Study (PAHIOWS) launched from March to June 2021 in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The information on short-form video exposure was collected by unstructured questions; physical activity-related content exposure was finalized by professionals using the Q-methodology, and the duration of exposure was transformed into hours per day. Step counts, LPA, and MVPA were assessed with ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Multiple subjective and objective covariates were assessed. Linear regression models were used to test the effects of short-form video exposure on step counts, LPA, and MVPA. MVPA was dichotomized into less than 150 minutes per week and 150 minutes or more per week, and the binary logistic regression model was run to test the effects of short-form video exposure on the achievement of spending 150 minutes or more on MVPA.

Results

Of 476 older women (mean age 64.63, SD 2.90 years), 23.7% (113/476) were exposed to physical activity-related short-form videos, and their daily exposure to short-form videos was 1.5 hours. Physical activity-related content exposure increased the minutes spent on MVPA by older women (B=4.14, 95% CI 0.13-8.15); the longer duration of short-form video exposure was associated with a reduced step count (B=-322.58, 95% CI -500.24 to -144.92) and minutes engaged in LPA (B=-6.95, 95% CI -12.19 to -1.71) and MVPA (B=-1.56, 95% CI -2.82 to -0.29). Neither content exposure nor the duration of exposure significantly increased or decreased the odds of older women engaging in MVPA for 150 minutes or more per week.

Conclusions

Short-form video exposure has both positive and negative impacts on the physical activity of older adults. Efforts are needed to develop strategies to leverage the benefits while avoiding the harms of short-form videos.

Effect of built environment on BMI of older adults in regions of different socio-economic statuses

Background

Numerous studies have ignored the influence of underdeveloped urban surroundings on the physical health of China's ageing population. Lanzhou is a typical representative of a less developed city in China.

Methods

This study investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and built environment amongst older adults in regions of different socio-economic statuses (SES) using data from medical examinations of older adults in Lanzhou, as well as calculating community built environment indicators for regions of different SES based on multiple linear regression models.

Results

Results showed that age and underlying disease were negatively associated with overall older adult BMI in the study buffer zone. Land use mix, number of parks and streetscape greenery were positively associated with older adult BMI. Street design and distance to bus stops were negatively connected in low SES regions, but population density and street design were negatively correlated in high SES areas.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the built environment of SES regions has varying impacts on the BMI of older persons and that planners may establish strategies to lower the incidence of obesity amongst older adults in different SES locations.

Predictors of the Level of Physical Activity in Physically Active Older People

There has not been much study of risk profiles in older people according to different levels of practice in physical activity. For this reason, the aim of this research was to evaluate whether the elements that influence the quality of life and factors such as gender and education can predict the level of physical activity in the physically active elderly population. The Fernández−Ballesteros quality of life questionnaire and the WHO International Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied to a sample of 397 people with a mean age of 69.65 years (SD = 4.71). The results revealed the following predictive factors of practicing a low level of physical activity (p < 0.05): being a woman; having a low educational level; and low scores in activity and leisure and in functional skills. In conclusion, gender, education, functional skills, activity and leisure, and health are elements of quality of life that predict the level of physical activity performed by the elderly, where it is necessary to use leisure activities (visiting friends, playing games, running errands) as an indirect way to increase participation in physical activity.

Nonlinear Effects of the Built Environment on Light Physical Activity among Older Adults: The Case of Lanzhou, China

The aging of the population is increasing the load on the healthcare system, and enhancing light physical activity among older adults can alleviate this problem. This study used medical examination data from 1773 older adults in Lanzhou city (China) and adopted the random forest model to investigate the effect of the built environment on the duration of light physical activity of older adults. The results showed that streetscape greenery has the most significant impact on older adults’ light physical activity; greenery can be assessed in a hierarchy of areas; population density and land-use mix only have a positive effect on older adults’ light physical activity up to a certain point but a negative effect beyond that point; and a greater distance to the park within 1 km is associated with a longer time spent on light physical activity. Therefore, we conclude that the built environment’s impact is only positive within a specific range. Changes in the intervention of environmental variables can be observed visually by calculating the relative importance of the nonlinearity of built environment elements with partial dependency plots. These results provide a reasonable reference indicator for age-friendly community planning.