Impact of Physical and Social Environments on the Walking Behaviour of Hong Kong's Older Adults

This study examined the associations between physical environment (facilitators and barriers), social environment, and walking among older adults in Hong Kong. Between April and December 2016, a sample of 679 adults aged 65 years or above was recruited in Neighbourhood Elderly Centres from across the 18 council districts of Hong Kong. Participants were asked to complete validated questionnaires that were used to assess the above constructs; participants were asked to track their daily step counts over 7 days using an accelerometer. Structural Equation Modelling was performed to examine the studied relationships by using maximum likelihood estimation in LISREL 9.3. The initial model did not fit the data adequately. The item ‘companionship’ was deleted because of its low standardized factor loading. A standardized residual of items was correlated with reference to the modification indices and high standardized residuals. The data were analyzed again. The modified structural model fitted the data sufficiently, as indicated by the fit indices. Only physical environment–facilitators (i.e., land use mix, access, street connectivity, infrastructure, indoor facilities, presence of people, and easy access to residential entrances) were predictive of older adults’ steps per day. The findings provide a reference for policy makers seeking to provide supportive physical walking environments and promote active aging among older adults.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2018.03.002
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140517307466
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/22141405
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Leung, Ka Man
  • Chung, Pak-Kwong
  • Wang, Donggen
  • Liu, Jing Dong
• Publication Date: 2018-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 299-308
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transport & Health
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2214-1405
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22141405

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Built environment; Neighborhoods; Social factors; Walkability; Walking
• Geographic Terms: Hong Kong (China)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01673183
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 25 2018 9:35AM