title: Neighborhood walkability and health outcomes among older adults: The mediating role of physical activity.
abstract: We examined the mediating role of physical activity on the relationships of walkability with Flemish older adults' health outcomes. In low income neighborhoods, residents of high walkable neighborhoods had a 1.5 kg/m(2) lower BMI than low walkable residents. Of this difference 0.3 kg/m(2) (19%) and 0.2 kg/m(2) (12%) were explained through walking for transport and MVPA, respectively. Similar findings were observed for waist circumference. Walkability did not relate to functional performance or quality of life. Walkable neighborhoods may benefit older adults' health, especially in low income neighborhoods. More research in other contexts is warranted to confirm current findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), Egmontstraat 5, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: jelle.vancauwenberg@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Jelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Cauwenberg
authors.affiliation: Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), Egmontstraat 5, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: veerle.vanholle@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Holle
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: ilse.debourdeaudhuij@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.affiliation: Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), Egmontstraat 5, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: delfien.vandyck@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Delfien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Dyck
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: benedicte.deforche@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Benedicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deforche
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking
keywords: Active transport; Environment; Seniors; Weight status