title: Neighborhood-level influences on physical activity among older adults: a multilevel analysis.
abstract: There is a need for greater understanding of setting-specific influences on physical activity to complement the predominant research paradigm of individual-centered influences on physical activity. In this study, the authors used a cross-sectional multilevel analysis to examine a range of neighborhood-level characteristics and the extent to which they were associated with variation in self-reported physical activity among older adults. The sample consisted of 582 community-dwelling residents age 65 years and older (M = 73.99 years, SD = 6.25) recruited from 56 neighborhoods in Portland, OR. Information collected from participants and neighborhood data from objective sources formed a two-level data structure. These hierarchical data (i.e., individuals nested within neighborhoods) were subjected to multilevel structural-equation-modeling analyses. Results showed that neighborhood social cohesion, in conjunction with other neighborhood-level factors, was significantly associated with increased levels of neighborhood physical activity. Overall, neighborhood-level variables jointly accounted for a substantial variation in neighborhood physical activity when controlling for individual-level variables.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Research Institute, Eugene 97403, USA.
authors.forename: K John
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Fuzhong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Minot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cleveland
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009922:Oregon; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data