Relationship between objectively measured walkability and exercise walking among adults with diabetes.
Little is known about the relationship between objectively measured walkability and walking for exercise among adults with diabetes. Information regarding walking behavior of adults with diabetes residing in 3 Upstate New York counties was collected through an interview survey. Walkability measures were collected through an environmental audit of a sample of street segments. Overall walkability and 4 subgroup measures of walkability were aggregated at the ZIP level. Multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis. Study participants (n = 208) were 61.0% female, 56.7% non-Hispanic White, and 35.1% African-American, with a mean age of 62.0 years. 108 participants (51.9%) walked for exercise on community streets, and 62 (29.8%) met the expert-recommended level of walking for ≥150 minutes/week. After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, BMI, physical impairment, and social support for exercise, walking any minutes/week was associated with traffic safety (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.15-1.65). Walking ≥150 minutes/week was associated with overall walkability of the community (2.65, 1.22, and 5.74), as well as sidewalks (1.73, 1.12-2.67), street amenity (2.04, 1.12-3.71), and traffic safety (1.92, 1.02-3.72). This study suggests that walkability of the community should be an integral part of the socioecologic approach to increase physical activity among adults with diabetes.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
Akiko S
AS
Hosler
Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, University at Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
Mary P
MP
Gallant
New York New Jersey Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center, University at Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
Mary
M
Riley-Jacome
AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
Deepa T
DT
Rajulu
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking