What Makes Older Adults to Walk?

• Neighborhood characteristics have a large influence on where older adults will walk outdoors, suggests a trio of new studies. Population density, the residential/commercial mix and intersections have an impact.



• Population density is a key factor. In a study of 13,102 adults living in New York City's 5 boroughs, people who lived in areas with balanced residential and commercial uses, near bus and subway stops and in population-dense areas had lower levels of body fat, measured using BMI (body mass index).



• Researchers found that a greater density of housing may encourage walking once density reaches a relatively high level and that business diversity increased walking. There is also a link between the number of 4-way intersections and walking.



• The chief factors contributing to an area's walkability are higher residential density and clusters of destinations such as grocery stores, restaurants and other services.



• Research shows older adults have a higher chance of walking for exercise-from 30% to 600% when they live in a more walkable neighborhood. In addition, one is more likely to walk if there are other people who are walking.

     Eric Larson, ICAA Research Review February 2007, Volume 7, No. 7