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Walk Score ® and Its Associations with Older Adults’ Health Behaviors and Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Yung Liao

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Chien-Yu Lin

    (Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, National Taiwan University, 17, Xuzhou Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan)

  • Ting-Fu Lai

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Yen-Ju Chen

    (Graduate Institute of Sport, Leisure and Hospitality Management, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Bohyeon Kim

    (Health Behaviors & Disease Prevention Research Group, Institute of Convergence Bio-Health, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea)

  • Jong-Hwan Park

    (Health Behaviors & Disease Prevention Research Group, Institute of Convergence Bio-Health, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the associations between Walk Score ® and lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes in older Taiwanese adults. A nationwide survey was conducted through telephone-based interviews with older adults (65 years and older) in Taiwan. Data on Walk Score ® , lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, healthy eating behavior, alcohol use, and smoking status), health outcomes (overweight/obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease), and personal characteristics were obtained from 1052 respondents. A binary logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders was employed. None of the Walk Score ® categories were related to the recommended levels of total physical activity. The categories “very walkable” and “walker’s paradise” were positively related to total sedentary time and TV viewing among older adults. No significant associations were found between Walk Score ® and other lifestyle health behaviors or health outcomes. While Walk Score ® was not associated with recommended levels of physical activity, it was positively related to prolonged sedentary time in the context of a non-Western country. The different associations between the walk score and health lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes in different contexts should be noted.

Suggested Citation

  • Yung Liao & Chien-Yu Lin & Ting-Fu Lai & Yen-Ju Chen & Bohyeon Kim & Jong-Hwan Park, 2019. "Walk Score ® and Its Associations with Older Adults’ Health Behaviors and Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:4:p:622-:d:207661
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Zhehao & Wang, Haiming & Fisher, Thomas, 2024. "The development, validation, and application of the campus walk score measurement system," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 40-54.
    2. Letizia Appolloni & Daniela D’Alessandro, 2023. "Neighborhoods’ Walkability for Elderly People: An Italian Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Eun Jung Kim & Jiyeong Kim & Hyunjung Kim, 2020. "Neighborhood Walkability and Active Transportation: A Correlation Study in Leisure and Shopping Purposes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, March.

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