Physical Activity in Older Adults: an Ecological Approach.
BACKGROUND
Studies identifying correlates of physical activity (PA) at all levels of the ecological model can provide an empirical basis for designing interventions to increase older adults' PA.


OBJECTIVE
Applying ecological model principles, this study concurrently examined individual, psychosocial, and environmental correlates of older adults' PA to determine whether built environment factors contribute to PA over and above individual/demographic and psychosocial variables.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional observational design, 726 adults, aged ≥66 years, were recruited from two US regions. Explanatory variables included demographics, self-efficacy, social support, barriers, and environmental variables measured by using geographic information systems (GIS) and self-report. Outcomes included reported walking for errands and leisure/exercise and accelerometer-measured daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Analyses employed mixed-model regressions with backward elimination.


RESULTS
For daily MVPA, the only significant environmental variable was GIS-based proximity to a park (p < 0.001) after controlling for individual/demographic and psychosocial factors. Walking for errands was positively related to four environmental variables: reported walking/cycling facilities (p < 0.05), GIS-based intersection density (p < 0.01), mixed land use (p < 0.01), and private recreation facilities (p < 0.01). Walking for leisure/exercise was negatively related to GIS-based mixed land use (p < 0.05). Non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, self-efficacy, and social support positively related to all three PA outcomes (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Correlates of older adults' PA were found at all ecological levels, supporting multiple levels of influence and need for multilevel interventions. Environmental correlates varied by PA outcome. Walking for errands exhibited the most environmental associations.
Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, Health Behavior, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA. cmt@ucsd.edu.
Christina M
CM
Thornton
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0811, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Jacqueline
J
Kerr
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
Terry L
TL
Conway
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, 2001 Eighth Ave, Suite 400, Seattle, WA, 98121, USA.
Brian E
BE
Saelens
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
James F
JF
Sallis
Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
David K
DK
Ahn
School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia, #433-6333 Memorial Road Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada.|Urban Design 4 Health, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA.
Lawrence D
LD
Frank
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
Kelli L
KL
Cain
Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA, USA.|Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Research and Policy, and Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 259 Campus Drive, HRP Redwood Building, T221, Stanford, CA, 94305-5405, USA.
Abby C
AC
King
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011998:Recreation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*
Accelerometer; Aging; Built environment; Exercise; Health promotion; Public health
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