Practice of walking and its association with perceived environment among elderly Brazilians living in a region of low socioeconomic level

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was analyze associations between the practice of walking and environmental perception among elderly Brazilians in a region of low socioeconomic level.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 elderly people aged 60 years and over. To evaluate walking, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long version (leisure and transport modules) was used. The environment was evaluated by means of the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) (adapted Brazilian version). For the statistical analysis, multiple logistic regression models were created separately for men and women. The practice of at least 150 minutes a week of walking was the dependent variable, and the variables of environmental perception were the independent variables. All the models were controlled for schooling level and age.ResultsThe proportion of elderly people active in walking was 56.9% for the men and 26.4% for the women. The perception of the presence of soccer fields (OR = 4.12) and their proximity, within ten minutes' walk from home (OR = 3.43), were associated with the practice of walking among the men. The perception of the presence of public squares (OR = 4.70) and the proximity of primary healthcare units, within ten minutes' walk from home (OR = 3.71), were associated with the practice of walking among the women. An association with adequate perception of vehicle traffic remained at the threshold of significance for the women.ConclusionAccessibility of leisure structures such as football fields and public squares and of health services such as primary healthcare units were important environmental variables associated with the practice of walking among elderly people living in a region of low socioeconomic level in Brazil. These variables need to be taken into consideration when aiming to promote the practice of walking among elderly people living in similar regions.

Reliability and validity of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers scale in the elderly

“…Researches show that these variables are directly related to higher levels of physical activity and consequently, with a better perception of its benefits (26)(27)(28) . This finding reinforces the need for new surveys with a larger number of elderlies in order to refute or confirm these associations, since several researches about physical activity study adults and elderly together and this might influence the results (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) . Regarding the non-influence of the elderly clinical variables on the EBBS results, it is unlikely to discuss if the data resembled or differed from other researches, as studies of this nature are complex and rare in the literature (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28) , thus making it impossible to compare the data with previous studies.…”

“…In this sense, the association between the practice of physical activity with the Benefits Scale is an indicator that the scale is an instrument capable of measuring the perception of the physical activity benefits on the elderly, as people who practice physical activities are more sensitive to perceive its benefits, when compared with those who do not practice (3,22) . Another relevant aspect was the association between the Barriers Scale and the variables level of education, lifestyle and with whom one resides, since literature points that the socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics influence on the level of knowledge, on the adherence and consequently, on the attitudes and beliefs about physical activity (2,23,24) . In this study the most prevalent family arrangement was the co-residence of the elderly with their children and grandchildren, culturally frequent in Brazil (24) .…”

“…Another relevant aspect was the association between the Barriers Scale and the variables level of education, lifestyle and with whom one resides, since literature points that the socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics influence on the level of knowledge, on the adherence and consequently, on the attitudes and beliefs about physical activity (2,23,24) . In this study the most prevalent family arrangement was the co-residence of the elderly with their children and grandchildren, culturally frequent in Brazil (24) . The multigenerational domicile may represent a barrier for the practice of physical activity, as many elderly people assume the role of caring for the grandchildren, a factor that limits the time for other activities (25,26) .…”

Características do ambiente do bairro e prática de caminhada no lazer e deslocamento em idosos

“…A maior parte destes achados referem-se a grandes centros urbanos, principalmente em se tratando de pesquisas conduzidas no Brasil 12,[13][14][15][16] . Nesse cenário, pouco se conhece sobre esse contexto em cidades menores que envolvem características ambientais como à disponibilidade de locais para AF, à presença de calçadas, à segurança e à estética.…”

Possibilities and challenges for physical and social environment research in Brazil: a systematic literature review on health behaviors

“…The majority of the publications excluded had used the term environment in another connotation than physical and social environment (e.g., domestic violence). The full article review resulted in a total of 42 articles deemed appropriate for analysis 16,17,20,21,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62 .…”