Personal, social and environmental determinants of educational inequalities in walking: a multilevel study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the contribution of personal, social and environmental factors to mediating socioeconomic (educational) inequalities in women's leisure-time walking and walking for transport.


METHODS
A community sample of 1282 women provided survey data on walking for leisure and transport; educational level; enjoyment of, and self-efficacy for, walking; physical activity barriers and intentions; social support for physical activity; sporting/recreational club membership; dog ownership; and perceived environmental aesthetics and safety. These data were linked with objective environmental data on the density of public open space and walking tracks in the women's local neighbourhood, coastal proximity and street connectivity.


RESULTS
Multilevel modelling showed that different personal, social and environmental factors were associated with walking for leisure and walking for transport. Variables from all three domains explained (mediated) educational inequalities in leisure-time walking, including neighbourhood walking tracks; coastal proximity; friends' social support; dog ownership; self-efficacy, enjoyment and intentions. On the other hand, few of the variables examined explained educational variations in walking for transport, exceptions being neighbourhood, coastal proximity, street connectivity and social support from family.


CONCLUSIONS
Public health initiatives aimed at promoting, and reducing educational inequalities in, leisure-time walking should incorporate a focus on environmental strategies, such as advocating for neighbourhood walking tracks, as well as personal and social factors. Further investigation is required to better understand the pathways by which education might influence walking for transport.
Ball
Kylie
K
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood Vic 3125, Australia. kball@deakin.edu.au
Timperio
Anna
A
Salmon
Jo
J
Giles-Corti
Billie
B
Roberts
Rebecca
R
Crawford
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004285:Dogs; D004522:Educational Status; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods; D014739:Victoria; D016138:Walking