Socioeconomic differences in associations between the built environment and walking following residential relocation

Oral Presentation C12.6

Authors

  • Chelsea D. Christie University of Calgary
  • Christine M. Friedenreich University of Calgary; Alberta Health Services
  • Jennifer E. Vena University of Calgary; Alberta Health Services
  • Liam Turley University of Calgary
  • Gavin R. McCormack University of Calgary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.724

Keywords:

Walkability, Walking

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) may modify associations between the neighborhood built environment and physical activity, however, study results are contradictory. Purpose: The study aims were to: 1) estimate the associations between changes in overall neighborhood walkability and individual built characteristics with changes in walking, and 2) test for effect modification by individual-level SES indicators (education and household low-income status). Methods: We linked two waves of data from 703 adults who had relocated neighborhood (Alberta’s Tomorrow Project; 2008-2015) with neighborhood built environment data. We created a walkability index from population counts, street connectivity, and destination diversity within 400m of participants’ homes. Items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) measured walking. Fixed-effects linear regression models estimated the associations between changes in walkability or individual built characteristics and changes in minutes walked per week. We also assessed whether SES modified these associations. Results: Percent change in walkability was positively associated with change in minutes walked per week (b = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.01). There were no statistically significant associations between changes in individual built characteristics and changes in walking for the overall sample. However, relocating to a neighborhood with greater destination diversity was associated with a decrease in walking among adults from low-income households (b = -25.53, 95% CI: -45.61, -1.45). Conclusions: Our results suggest relocating to a neighborhood with greater destination diversity may negatively affect walking among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Further longitudinal research is needed. Funding: This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Christie, C., Friedenreich, C., Vena, J., Turley, L., & McCormack, G. (2021). Socioeconomic differences in associations between the built environment and walking following residential relocation: Oral Presentation C12.6. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.724

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