The relationship between social environment and walking levels in older women in Hawaiʻi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and perceptions of the environment by elderly women in Hawaii. Participants (n=l44) were surveyed to explore what elderly women do for physical activity, how much activity they perform in a week, if their background affects their physical activity and if their perception of the physical environment affects their level of activity. Results indicated that walking was the most frequent exercise to be reported with 61 % of the participants meeting the CDC's recommendation. Walking for transport was associated with distance to the community centers, means of transportation, and geographic barriers. Other findings include walking for leisure was associated with residential density while leisure time physical activity was related to living situation. Gardening was related to lack of parking and cul-de-sacs. Age was related to less activity-friendly environments, less education, and living situation.