Associations among neighborhood poverty,perceived neighborhood environment,and depressed mood are mediated by physical activity,perceived individual control,and loneliness

Few studies have documented the pathways through which individual level variables mediate the effects of neighborhoods on health. This study used structural equation modeling to examine if neighborhood characteristics are associated with depressive symptoms, and if so, what factors mediated these relationships. Cross-sectional data came from a sample of mostly rural, older adults in North Carolina (n = 1,558). Mediation analysis indicated that associations among neighborhood characteristics and depressive symptoms were mediated by loneliness (standardized indirect effect = −0.19, p < 0.001), physical activity (standardized indirect effect = −0.01, p = 0.003), and perceived individual control (standardized indirect effect = −0.07, p = 0.02) with loneliness emerging as the strongest mediator. Monitoring such individual mediators in formative and process evaluations may increase the precision of neighborhood-based interventions and policies.     

Safety perceptions of older adults on an urban greenway: Interplay of the social and built environment

BackgroundCreating neighbourhood places for older adults to be socially and physically active is a global health priority. Safety is integral to older adult mobility. In greenway research, perceived safety is often only partially or superficially explored. Our study comprehensively examines older adults’ experiences and perceived safety for walking on a new urban greenway in Vancouver, Canada—the Arbutus Greenway.MethodsWe integrated mixed methods: i) observational count data to describe the use and context of the greenway over 3 years (2017; 2018; 2019), and; ii) semi-structured interviews with older adults at two time points (2017, n = 27; 2019, n = 16).Resultsand discussion: We conducted thematic analysis to illuminate older adults' experiences across three safety domains: personal safety, traffic safety, and security. Built environment features such as benches, paving, road markings, and natural foliage buffers intersected with elements of the social environment to influence older adults’ perceived safety. While the greenway supported active transportation, leisure, and social engagement for many older adults, certain factors also provoked fears, especially for older adults with mobility limitations. We advocate for a multidimensional lens to better understand how urban interventions influence perceived safety, and identify practical solutions to encourage mobility for all ages and abilities.     

Mediating role of walking between perceived and objective walkability and cognitive function in older adults

The aim of this study was to examine the role of walking in explaining associations between perceived and objective measures of walkability and cognitive function among older adults. The study employed a cross-sectional design analyzing existing data. Data were obtained from the Adult Changes in Thought Activity Monitor study. Cognitive function and perceived walkability were measured by a survey. Objective walkability was measured using geographic information systems (GIS). Walking was measured using an accelerometer. We tested the mediating relationship based on 1,000 bootstrapped samples. Perceived walkability was associated with a 0.04 point higher cognitive function score through walking (p = 0.006). The mediating relationship accounted for 34% of the total relationship between perceived walkability and cognitive function. Walking did not have a significant indirect relationship on the association between objective walkability and cognitive function. Perceived walkability may be more relevant to walking behavior than objective walkability among older adults. Greater levels of perceived walkability may encourage older adults to undertake more walking, and more walking may in turn improve cognitive function in older adults.     

Associations between neighborhood built environment and cognition vary by apolipoprotein E genotype: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

We examined whether neighborhood built environment (BE) and cognition associations in older adults vary by apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 4091 participants. Neighborhood characteristics included social and walking destination density (SDD, WDD), intersection density, and proportion of land dedicated to retail. Individuals were categorized as APOE ε2 (lower AD risk), APOE ε4 (higher AD risk), or APOE ε3 carriers. Among APOE ε2 carriers, greater proportion of land dedicated to retail was associated with better global cognition, and greater SDD, WDD, intersection density, and proportion of land dedicated to retail was associated with better processing speed. These associations were not observed in APOE ε3 or ε4 carriers. APOE ε2 carriers may be more susceptible to the potentially beneficial effects of denser neighborhood BEs on cognition; however, longitudinal studies are needed.     

Income disparities in perceived neighborhood built and social environment attributes

The present study explored whether perceived neighborhood environmental attributes associated with physical activity differ by neighborhood income. Adults aged 20–65 years (n=2199; 48% female; mean age=45 years; 26% ethnic minority) were recruited from 32 neighborhoods from the Seattle, WA and Baltimore, MD regions that varied in objectively measured walkability and neighborhood income. Perceived built and social environment variables were assessed with the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. There were neighborhood income disparities on 10 of 15 variables. Residents from high-income neighborhoods reported more favorable esthetics, pedestrian/biking facilities, safety from traffic, safety from crime, and access to recreation facilities than residents of low-income areas (all p's <0.001). Low-income neighborhoods may lack amenities and safety attributes that can facilitate high levels of physical activity for both transportation and recreation purposes.     

The built environment and recreational physical activity among adults in Curitiba, Brazil

Objective

To examine the relationship between objective measures of the built environment (BE) and recreational physical activity (PA) in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

Method

A phone survey was carried among a random sample of 1206 people. Walking during leisure time (WLT) and moderate and vigorous recreational PA (MVPA) was measured using IPAQ. Characteristics of the BE were determined in an area of 500 m surrounding respondent's homes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between recreational PA and BE.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, WLT was associated with area income level US$971.45-3341.64 vs. US$167.05-461.06 (25.7% vs. 11.1% POR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5-4.4), having ≥ 2 gyms vs. none (26.1% vs. 12.7%, POR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2-3.0) and distance to recreation centers, 1769.1-2835.5 km vs. 2835.6-10,212.3 km (22.1% vs. 11.0%, POR = 2.3; 95% CI = (1.0-2.5). MVPA was associated with neighborhood income US$971.45-3341.64 vs. US$167.05-461.06 (47.6% vs. 22.0% POR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.5-5.9) and having ≥ 2 gyms vs. none (41.7% vs. 26.0%, POR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.11-2.1).

Conclusion

The presence of some recreational facilities for PA was associated with recommended levels of PA during leisure time in Curitiba, Brazil.     

Parks/sports facilities in local communities and the onset of functional disability among older adults in Japan: The J-shaped spatial spillover effects

We examined the associations between parks/sports facilities in local communities and the onset of functional disability among Japanese older adults. We further investigated the spatial spillover effects of parks/sports facilities in 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-degree neighboring communities. Data on the onset of functional disability, including date of onset, sex, age, and address (school district) of all older adults aged 65 years and older living in Kobe City were obtained from the public long-term care insurance database (163,348 men [190,831 person-year] and 200,443 women [230,464 person-year]). Multilevel proportional hazard regression analyses showed that the number of parks and sports facilities were negatively associated with the onset of functional disability among men. In particular, these associations were stronger for the adjacent district than for individuals’ living districts. Our results imply that involving multiple neighboring communities as the intervention unit is effective when utilizing community built environments for long-term care prevention in men.     

合肥市社区老年人久坐类型与抑郁关系的性别差异研究

目的 调查社区老年人久坐类型现状,分析不同类型久坐行为与抑郁的关系,并探讨两者之间关系在性别方面的差异。方法 自2021年11月至2022年4月,便利抽样法选择安徽省合肥市某3所社区的648名老年人为调查对象;采用量表的形式调查老年人的久坐类型及抑郁情况;使用二分类logistics回归分析探讨不同性别间久坐类型对抑郁的影响。结果 社区老年人每日总久坐时长为(6.05±1.43) h,被动思维久坐时长为(3.68±1.96) h,主动思维久坐时长为(2.36±1.61) h。主动思维久坐时长和被动思维久坐时长存在性别差异(P<0.05)。二分类logistics回归结果发现被动思维久坐会增加老年男性(OR=1.780,95%CI:1.392～2.277)和老年女性(OR=1.629,95%CI:1.377～1.927)抑郁的患病风险;而主动思维久坐会减少老年女性(OR=0.810,95%CI:0.678～0.968)抑郁的患病风险(P<0.05)。结论 社区老年人久坐类型以被动思维久坐为主;被动思维久坐延长与老年群体抑郁患病的上升有关,而主动思维久坐延长与老年女性抑郁患病的...     

Concept mapping applied to the intersection between older adults' outdoor walking and the built and social environments

Objective

For older adults, the ability to navigate walking routes in the outdoor environment allows them to remain active and socially engaged, facilitating community participation and independence. In order to enhance outdoor walking, it is important to understand the interaction of older adults within their local environments and the influence of broader stakeholder priorities that impact these environments. Thus, we aimed to synthesize perspectives from stakeholders to identify elements of the built and social environments that influence older adults' ability to walk outdoors.

Method

We applied a concept mapping approach with the input of diverse stakeholders (N = 75) from British Columbia, Canada in 2012.

Results

A seven-cluster map best represented areas that influence older adults' outdoor walking. Priority areas identified included sidewalks, crosswalks, and neighborhood features.

Conclusion

Individual perceptions and elements of the built and social environments intersect to influence walking behaviors, although targeted studies that address this area are needed.     

The relation between neighborhood built environment and walking activity among older adults

The association of neighborhood built environment with walking activity has received growing attention, although most studies have relied upon subjective measures of the built environment and few have examined the relation between built environment and walking among older adults. This 2001 study examined the relation between objectively measured characteristics of the local neighborhood and walking activity among a sample of 546 community-dwelling older adults in Portland, Oregon. A geographic information system was used to derive measures of the built environment within a quarter-mile (0.4 km) and half-mile (0.8 km) radius around each participant's residence. Multilevel regression analysis was used to examine the association of built environment with walking behavior. No association between built environment and the likelihood of walking or not walking was observed in this cohort of older adults. However, among those participants who reported some degree of walking activity, average time spent walking per week was significantly associated with amount of automobile traffic and number of commercial establishments in their local neighborhood. These findings suggest that built environment may not play a significant role in whether older adults walk, but, among those who do walk, it is associated with increased levels of activity.     

杭州市城区成年居民步行时间与建成环境主观感知的关联分析

目的 了解杭州市城区成年居民步行与建成环境主观感知之间的关系。方法 2012年采用多阶段分层随机抽样方法选取杭州市城区25~59岁居民开展面对面问卷调查。采用国际体力活动量表长版(IPAQ-L)和社区步行环境量表简版(NEWS-A)评价居民过去1周交通出行相关步行时间、休闲性步行时间以及建成环境主观感知。利用多因素logistic回归法分析步行与建成环境主观感知得分的关联性。结果 杭州市城区成年居民过去1周总体力活动得分M=2 766 met·min^-1·week^-1,平均1周休闲相关步行时间为90 min,平均1周交通相关步行时间则为100 min。控制年龄、BMI、婚姻状况、工作状态、文化程度、居住社区类型、总体力活动水平后,男性(OR=0.764,95%CI:0.588~0.992)和女性(OR=0.633,95%CI:0.481~0.833)的休闲性步行时间均与场所设施可及性维度得分呈负相关,女性休闲性步行时间还与住宅密度维度得分呈负相关(OR=0.997,95%CI:0.996~0.999),女性交通出行相关步行时间则与步行道/自行车道维度得分呈正相关(OR=1.537,95%CI:1.138~2.075)。男性交通出行相关步行时间与建成环境主观感知各维度得分的关联均无统计学意义。结论 可通过改善步行道/自行车道等建成环境促进成年居民的交通相关步行时间,开展成年人步行的环境干预时需要考虑性别差异。     

Associations between neighborhood perceptions and mental well-being among older adults

This study examined whether perceived neighborhood factors were associated with positive well-being in older adults using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Neighborhood perceptions were assessed at baseline (2006/2007) and three measures of well-being – hedonic, eudaimonic and evaluative – were assessed at baseline and follow-up (2010/2011) for 6134 participants. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, negative neighborhood perceptions were associated with poorer well-being on all three measures. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of sociodemographic and health status variables and depressive symptoms.     

Residential self-selection,perceived built environment and type 2 diabetes incidence: A longitudinal analysis of 36,224 middle to older age adults

Much of the existing studies on the built environment and type 2 diabetes are cross-sectional and prone to residential self-selection bias. Using multilevel logistic regression analysis of 36,224 participants from a longitudinal study, we examined whether perceived built environment characteristics are associated with type 2 diabetes. We found that the odds of diabetes incidence varied geographically. Those who reported that there were no local amenities and reported day- and night-time crime rates made walking unsafe in the neighbourhood had higher odds of developing incident type 2 diabetes. These associations persisted after accounting for some predictors of residential self-selection. More longitudinal studies are needed to corroborate the findings. Changing the features of the residential built environment may be an important point of intervention for type 2 diabetes prevention.     

The impact of the built environment on loneliness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Loneliness is a pressing public health issue. Although quintessentially individual, it is shaped by wider environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political circumstances. Using a systematic review methodology, this paper draws on interdisciplinary research to conceptualise the relationship between the built environment and loneliness. We present a narrative synthesis of 57 relevant studies to characterise the body of evidence and highlight specific built-environment elements. Our findings demonstrate the need for further conceptual and empirical explorations of the multifaceted ways in which built environments can prevent loneliness, supporting calls for investment into this public-health approach.     

Residential satisfaction, sense of belonging and loneliness among older adults living in the community and in care facilities

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of residential satisfaction and sense of belonging on loneliness in old age in two different contexts: the community and the residential care facility. We used two surveys of 1106 non-institutionalized and 234 institutionalized older adults, aged 60 years or more in Spain. Results from structural equation modeling and path analysis suggest that residential satisfaction would positively affect sense of belonging and would be negatively associated with loneliness in both residential environments, thus playing a protective role against the experience of loneliness.     

The built environment and perceived HIV risk among young women living in the peri-urban slum of Kibra,Nairobi, Kenya

This study reports on the lived experiences of young women living in a peri-urban slum in Kenya and its impact on perceived HIV risk and prevention needs. Guided by the theory of gender and power and postcolonial theory, 73 women 15–24 years of age participated in individual and focus group interviews. Results revealed that the built environment inside and outside the home such as inadequate physical space and lack of security impacted perceived HIV risk. To have meaningful and sustainable change, HIV prevention efforts must address social structures that impact daily lived experiences of young women.     

Participation among adults with disability: the role of the urban environment

Increasing attention is being paid to the importance of built environment characteristics for participation, especially among people with various levels of impairment or activity limitations. The purpose of this research was to examine the role of specific characteristics in the urban environment as they interact with underlying impairments and activity limitations to either promote or hinder participation in life situations. Using data from the Chicago Community Adult Health Study (2001-2003) in the United States, we used logistic regression to examine the effect of built environment characteristics on three indicators of participation (interpersonal interaction, obtaining preventive health care, and voting) among adults age 45+ (N = 1225). We examined effects across two levels of spatial scale: the census tract and block group. One in five adults reported difficulty walking 2-3 blocks unaided, but their odds of engaging in regular interpersonal interaction was 45% higher when they lived in areas with higher residential security. For the thirty-six percent of adults who reported visual impairment, and the odds of obtaining preventive health care were over 20% lower when living in an area with heavy traffic. Residing in an area with a high proportion of streets in poor condition was associated with 60% lower odds of voting among those with underlying difficulty with mobility activities. Results varied across levels of spatial scale. Simple changes in urban built environments may facilitate the full participation of all persons in society.     

杭州市城区不同特征人群对体力活动相关建成环境的主观感知评价

目的 了解杭州市城区不同特征人群的体力活动相关建成环境主观感知情况。方法 采用多阶段分层随机抽样方法在杭州市城区抽取25~59岁常住居民开展面对面问卷调查。社区步行环境量表简版(NEWS-A)用于评价居民对社区内住宅密度、场所设施多样性、公共服务可及性、街道连通性、步行道和自行车道适宜性、美观舒适度、交通安全、治安8个建成环境维度的主观感知。采用两水平logistic回归模型分析社会人口学特征和BMI等个体因素对居民建成环境主观感知的影响。结果 共纳入1 362例常住居民,性别、婚姻状况、是否有工作与建成环境主观感知各维度得分关联均无统计学意义。调整其他因素影响后,年龄45~59岁与街道连通性感知得分呈正相关(OR=2.02,95%CI:1.30~3.15)。大专及以上文化程度与人口密度感知得分存在正相关(OR=1.97,95%CI:1.29~3.00),与场所设施多样性感知得分呈负相关(OR=0.65,95%CI:0.43~0.97)。超重肥胖与步行道/自行车道(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.48~0.95)和社区治安得分(OR=0.75,95%CI:0.57~0.99)均呈负相关。相对于Ⅰ类区域,Ⅲ类区域居民对场所设施多样性(OR=0.11,95%CI:0.04~0.30)、公共服务可及性(OR=0.33,95%CI:0.11~0.95)、街道连通性(OR=0.30,95%CI:0.11~0.86)、交通安全(OR=0.39,95%CI:0.17~0.91)的主观感知得分更低。结论 杭州市城区居民对体力活动相关的建成环境主观感知与年龄、文化程度、BMI和居住区域存在相关性,开展人群体力活动的环境干预时需要考虑个体特征。