Relationships Between Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Among Rural Older Adults Living in Highly Walkable Neighborhoods

Walk Score® is a popular and objective tool for evaluating the walkability of a neighborhood environment. However, few studies have examined whether living in a walkable neighborhood is related to physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) among rural older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the Walkability Index and its association with moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and ST to inform broader environmental policymaker initiatives that promote active living among rural older adults. A cross-sectional design study was conducted in 1,083 older adults (≥ 65 years). The Walk Score, MVPA, and ST were obtained using computer-assisted telephone interviewing, while MVPA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long version (IPAQ-LV) (Taiwanese version). ST was measured using a self-reported questionnaire. The Walkability Index indicates neighborhood walkability. This study assessed the Walk Score from each participant's address, and the scores were classified into five categories. Results showed that compared with those who lived in "very car-dependent" areas, older adults who lived in "walker's paradise" areas were more likely to meet the MVPA recommendation (≥ 150 min/week). In addition, older adults who lived in "somewhat walkable," "very walkable," and "walker's paradise" areas had a significant likelihood of excessive ST (≥ 7 hr/day). The results of this study indicate that living in a highly-walkable neighborhood may support sufficient MVPA. However, it is concurrently associated with excessive ST among rural older adults. We conclude that these findings provide critical information to improve neighborhood walkability and the health-related behavior strategies of rural older adults.

關鍵字

Walk Score® ； Walkability Index ； walker's paradise ； sedentary behavior

並列摘要

Walk Score®（步行評分工具）是用來評估環境宜走性的簡易工具，然而，過去鮮少研究探討鄉村高齡者居住在適宜步行的社區，與身體活動及靜態時間是否有關。因此，本研究旨在探討適宜步行指標與中高強度身體活動和靜態時間之關係，可提供制定健康環境政策者參考，藉以促進鄉村高齡者的健康動態生活。研究採用橫斷性研究設計，以電腦輔助電話訪問1,083名高齡者（≥ 65 years）；以國際身體活動量表長版問卷（中文版）蒐集身體活動；以老年人靜態行為問卷調查自陳式靜態時間。可步行性指標代表居住社區的步行宜走性，本研究針對每個參與者的居住地址進行評估，並將所得分數區分為5個類別。研究結果顯示與居住在「非常依賴駕車」區域的高齡者相比，居住在「步行者天堂」區域的高齡者更有可能達到充足的中度至高強度身體活動推薦量（≥ 150 min/week）。不過，居住在「部分適合步行」、「非常適合步行」及「步行者天堂」區域的高齡者則有可能出現過量的靜態時間（≥ 7 hr/day）。結論指出，本研究可提供提升鄉村高齡者居住步行環境與健康政策制定的重要資訊。

並列關鍵字

Walk Score® ；可步行性指標；步行者天堂；久坐行為

參考文獻

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