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A photovoice documentation of the role of neighborhood physical and social environments in older adults’ physical activity in two metropolitan areas in North America

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  • Mahmood, Atiya
  • Chaudhury, Habib
  • Michael, Yvonne L.
  • Campo, Michael
  • Hay, Kara
  • Sarte, Ann

Abstract

A substantial body of evidence indicates that regular engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week is sufficient for older adults to achieve positive health outcomes. Although there is a growing body of literature that examines the affect of neighborhood environment on physical activity in older adults, the research tends to overlook social aspects that potentially shape the relationship between physical environment and physical activity. This article presents qualitative themes related to the role of the physical and social environments in influencing physical activity among older adults as identified through the photovoice method with sixty-six older adults in eight neighborhoods in metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Greater Portland, Oregon, USA. The photovoice data generated seven themes: being safe and feeling secure, getting there, comfort in movement, diversity of destinations, community-based programs, peer support and intergenerational/volunteer activities. Although the majority of these themes have explicit or implicit physical and social aspects, certain themes are primarily based on physical environmental aspects (e.g., safe and feeling secure, comfort in movement), while a few themes are more oriented to social context (e.g., peer support, intergenerational activity/volunteering). The themes are discussed with a focus on how the neighborhood physical and social environmental aspects interplay to foster or hinder older adults in staying active in both everyday activities and intentional physical activities. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahmood, Atiya & Chaudhury, Habib & Michael, Yvonne L. & Campo, Michael & Hay, Kara & Sarte, Ann, 2012. "A photovoice documentation of the role of neighborhood physical and social environments in older adults’ physical activity in two metropolitan areas in North America," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(8), pages 1180-1192.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:74:y:2012:i:8:p:1180-1192
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Franke, Thea & Winters, Meghan & McKay, Heather & Chaudhury, Habib & Sims-Gould, Joanie, 2017. "A grounded visualization approach to explore sociospatial and temporal complexities of older adults' mobility," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 59-69.
    2. Chao Wu & Minwei Zhao & Yu Ye, 2023. "Measuring urban nighttime vitality and its relationship with urban spatial structure: A data-driven approach," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 50(1), pages 130-145, January.
    3. Emel ESEN & Edibe ÖZBAY, 2023. "Descriptive Emotion Sharing: Photovoice," Yildiz Social Science Review, Yildiz Technical University, vol. 9(2), pages 73-83.
    4. Sánchez-Ledesma, Esther & Vásquez-Vera, Hugo & Sagarra, Natàlia & Peralta, Andrés & Porthé, Victoria & Díez, Èlia, 2020. "Perceived pathways between tourism gentrification and health: A participatory Photovoice study in the Gòtic neighborhood in Barcelona," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    5. Van Cauwenberg, Jelle & De Donder, Liesbeth & Clarys, Peter & De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse & Buffel, Tine & De Witte, Nico & Dury, Sarah & Verté, Dominique & Deforche, Benedicte, 2014. "Relationships between the perceived neighborhood social environment and walking for transportation among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 23-30.
    6. Sawyer, Alexia & Ucci, Marcella & Jones, Russell & Smith, Lee & Fisher, Abi, 2018. "Supportive environments for physical activity in deprived communities in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study using photo elicitation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 49-58.
    7. Ottoni, Callista A. & Sims-Gould, Joanie & Winters, Meghan & Heijnen, Myrthe & McKay, Heather A., 2016. "“Benches become like porches”: Built and social environment influences on older adults’ experiences of mobility and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 33-41.
    8. Belon, Ana Paula & Nieuwendyk, Laura M. & Vallianatos, Helen & Nykiforuk, Candace I.J., 2014. "How community environment shapes physical activity: Perceptions revealed through the PhotoVoice method," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 10-21.
    9. Mikiko Terashima & Kate Clark, 2021. "The Precarious Absence of Disability Perspectives in Planning Research," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 120-132.

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