Sociocultural Perceptions of Walkability in Mexican American Neighborhoods: Implications for Policy and Practice

Active living is a recently popularized concept that encourages individuals to achieve recommended levels of physical activity through a lifestyle that integrates active transportation such as biking and walking into daily routines. This article reports findings of a qualitative study of factors that influence perceptions of walkability in five predominantly Mexican American neighborhoods in the Southwest region of the U.S., with a broader aim of exploring sociocultural factors related to preferences in the walking environment that may be neighborhood-specific. The researchers used focus groups and surveys to explore perceptions of walkability in Mexican American neighborhoods in the U.S. They found that physical attributes of the neighborhood were generally negatively associated with walking. Sociocultural attributes may attenuate negative perceptions of social and physical environments. The authors conclude by recommending that policy and planning efforts should leverage sociocultural strengths of neighborhoods.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.10.001
• Record URL:
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140517305492
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/22141405
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Ingram, Maia
  • Adkins, Arlie
  • 0000-0001-5613-4372
  • Hansen, Krista
  • Cascio, Vanessa
  • Somnez, Evren
• Publication Date: 2017-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 172-180
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transport & Health
  • Volume: 7, Part B
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2214-1405
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22141405

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycling; Culture (Social sciences); Neighborhoods; Nonmotorized transportation; Social factors; Walkability
• Identifier Terms: Mexican Americans
• Geographic Terms: Southwestern States
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01655309
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 2017 10:30AM