Environmental Changes to Increase Physical Activity: Perceptions of Older Urban Ethnic-Minority Women

Abstract

Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity, older adults continue to be more sedentary than their younger counterparts, and sedentary behavior is more prevalent among older racial and ethnic minorities than among Whites. This study used the nominal group technique (NGT) to examine participants’ perceptions of what neighborhood environmental changes would encourage greater physical activity for older African American and Hispanic women. Participants age 50–75 years were recruited from 2 urban community health clinics. Nine NGT sessions (45 participants) were conducted. The women were asked what changes in their neighborhood environment would encourage them to become more physically active. Responses to the research question were tabulated, and qualitative analysis was used to identify themes and categories. Major categories were physical environment changes, safety, and activities/social support. Although the physical environment received the greatest number of points, concerns for personal safety cut across categories. Participants indicated the need for more facilities in which to be active.

Environmental factors influencing older adults’ walking for transportation: a study using walk-along interviews

“…zebra crossings, traffic lights…) emerged as an important factor. This latter is also in support of previous qualitative studies [20,21,23,25]. …”

“…In line with previous qualitative studies, elements encompassing an increased risk of falling (e.g. uneven sidewalks, cracked tiles, snow…) were feared by our participants [20,21,24,25]. Additionally, in the current study the width of the sidewalks and separation of the sidewalks from streets and cycling paths appeared to be important components of sidewalk quality.…”

“…The few qualitative studies available have used in-depth one-on-one interviews [20], group interviews [21,22], a combination of those [23], or a “photovoice” methodology. In this latter older adults took photographs of environmental supports and barriers and discussed them in facilitated focus group interviews [24,25].…”

Rural and Urban Characteristics Impact Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

“…For urban residents, there are the factors of safety, traffic, sidewalks, facilities and equipment availability, and pollution that may impact the individual willingness to participate in healthful behaviors such as increasing physical activity. 7,8,25 Therefore, when teaching about behavioral lifestyle changes, healthcare providers must assess and develop an understanding of the individual environmental restrictions and give specific suggestions about how the individual may make improvements within these potential barriers to success. Such suggestions may include increasing physical activity within the home by walking throughout the inside of the house; using stairs; using household items for resistance training such as books and food cans; or traveling by car or public transportation to safer areas for exercise, such as parks, schools, or shopping malls.…”

Differences in Physical Activity and Built Environment Perceptions between Younger and Older Adults Living in The Same Rural

“…Built environment studies in physical activity have also generally been limited to metropolitan areas [9]- [11], [13]. The study of individuals living in rural areas is critical, because such individuals are less physically active overall, report greater number of physical activity barriers, including care giving duties, lack of time and lack of energy [14], [15].…”