Features of the neighborhood environment and walking by U.S. adults

Suminski, Richard R.; Poston, Walker S. Carlos; Petosa, Rick; Stevens, Emily; Katzenmoyer, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2004.09.009

Cited by 175 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…This could not be done in past studies which could only describe environmental conditions in the general vicinity of where subjects lived or where subjects said they did the activity. 16,[19][20][21][22] The BWM can be used to gather valuable information for exploring spatial relationships using geographical information systems (GIS) technology. Although the levels of agreement for the address where an activity was observed were acceptable, they were lower than for activity type and number.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to findings reported by others, the correlation profiles varied by activity type. 21,25 More walkers were seen in block groups having older homes, which may be a proxy for features of the urban environment that influence walking behavior. 26 Fewer runners were observed in block groups with more residents walking/biking to work and more residents in the labor force.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

Suminski

Petosa²,

Stevens

2006

J Urban Health

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Assessment of physical activity needs to improve in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between characteristics of the environment and physical activity. Our study evaluated a method [Block Walk Method (BWM)] for observing physical activity along residential sidewalks and streets. The BWM was utilized in 12 U.S. Census block groups over a three-month period. Examination transportation routes (ETRs), 1,524 m in length, were constructed and examined in each block group. On 6 days, ETRs were traversed by a trained observer for 50 min. Physical activities, street names, and geographical locations (e.g., addresses) were recorded. We found encouraging results for the BWM. The level of agreement between independent observers was 998% for activity type. The number of individuals seen walking, running, or biking did not differ significantly between the days of the week or observation times. The number of individuals observed was correlated with block group characteristics (e.g., percent walking/biking to work) and weather (e.g., temperature). The BWM is an easy to use, economically viable observational approach to obtaining reliable information concerning physical activities performed on residential streets and sidewalks. Its use could help advance our understanding about the environment-physical activity relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

Suminski

Petosa²,

Stevens

2006

J Urban Health

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“…Further, small-scale, low-cost measures such as even pavements and lower curbs may support activity, participation and health in old age. Since walking in itself is a protection against unhealthy outcomes, environmental improvements may be effective for health promotion in general (Beard et al, 2009;Hallal et al, 2005;King et al, 2005;Suminiski et al, 2005;Owen et al, 2004). This study not only produces knowledge about the importance of good walking conditions for keeping especially the oldest old mobile (Michael et al, 2006;Mollenkopf et al, 2004;Burkhardt et al, 1998), it also gives important input to physical planning of outdoor environments by identifying which measures benefit most, and for whom.…”

Section: Us (Oecd 2001mentioning

confidence: 99%

A five-year follow-up among older people after an outdoor environment intervention

2013

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“…The importance of distance and cognitive distance in path choice and walking behavior to reach destination: Findings of studies surveying the effects of environmental factors on walking, by segregating it into walking to reach destination and walking for recreation, indicate that distance to destination is one of the most effective factors on walking to reach destination (Suminski et al, 2005;Owen et al, 2004;Pikora et al, 2003). Knowledge of distance in the environment affects the decision to stay or go, the decision of where to go and the decision of which route to take (Cadwallader, 1976).…”

Section: Instrumental Versus Divertive Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in recent years, the issue concerned by a number of researchers is that the impact of built environment on walking behavior may depend on the purpose of the trip; whether walking to reach the destination or walking for recreational purposes (Cao et al, 2006). In regard to this gap, a new stream of researches surveyed the influences of various built environmental variables such as aesthetics and distance on walking behavior on the basis of purpose of the trip (Pikora et al, 2003;Owen et al, 2004;Suminski et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Sense of Progression and Cognitive Distance on Path Choice and Walking Behavior While Aiming To Reach Destination

Paydar¹,

Ramezani²

2010

American J. of Engineering and Applied Sciences

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Problem statement: Studies focused on walking behavior have indicated the relationship of different factors of built environment with walking to reach destination and walking for recreation. Furthermore, according to literature on path choice behavior, there is a relationship between walking behavior and path choice of pedestrians. Empirical studies on path choice behavior have also shown that the effects of different environmental variables on path choice vary with the purpose of the trip; whether recreational purposes or work-related walking trips. However there is a necessity to theoretically understand why consideration of purpose of the trip is important in studies of walking as well as path choice behavior. Furthermore, since reaching the destination is the most important travel purpose in daily activities, the environmental variables related to walking to reach the destination as well as path choice when aiming to reach destination need special consideration, if the goal is to encourage walking in daily basis. Approach: This study, therefore, relied on literature review to find answer to the research questions. Two concepts of instrumental and divertive behavior were used to answer the first research question. Research proceeded with making an effort to extract and introduce the main environmental variables related to walking and path choice of pedestrians when aiming to reach the destination. Results: Based on the definition of instrumental and divertive behavior, the necessity of consideration of purpose of the trip and its effects on environmental variables affecting walking as well as path choice behavior were theoretically verified. Moreover, two factors of cognitive distance and sense of progression were found to be the most important factors affecting walking and path choice behavior while aiming to reach destination. The physical features contributing to creation of sense of progression were also extracted and introduced. It is also suggested that sense of progression affects walking and path choice behavior through affecting cognitive distance and generating positive affective responses. Conclusion: It is suggested that future empirical studies be conducted to support the hypothesized relationships extracted and introduced in this study. Such studies would contribute to planning and design of urban spaces which would encourage walking in a daily basis.

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Features of the neighborhood environment and walking by U.S. adults

Cited by 175 publications

References 20 publications

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

A five-year follow-up among older people after an outdoor environment intervention

The Effects of Sense of Progression and Cognitive Distance on Path Choice and Walking Behavior While Aiming To Reach Destination

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