Abstract
Background
Understanding how environmental attributes can influence particular physical activity
behaviors is a public health research priority. Walking is the most common physical
activity behavior of adults; environmental innovations may be able to influence rates
of participation.
Method
Review of studies on relationships of objectively assessed and perceived environmental
attributes with walking. Associations with environmental attributes were examined
separately for exercise and recreational walking, walking to get to and from places,
and total walking.
Results
Eighteen studies were identified. Aesthetic attributes, convenience of facilities
for walking (sidewalks, trails); accessibility of destinations (stores, park, beach);
and perceptions about traffic and busy roads were found to be associated with walking
for particular purposes. Attributes associated with walking for exercise were different
from those associated with walking to get to and from places.
Conclusions
While few studies have examined specific environment–walking relationships, early
evidence is promising. Key elements of the research agenda are developing reliable
and valid measures of environmental attributes and walking behaviors, determining
whether environment–behavior relationships are causal, and developing theoretical
models that account for environmental influences and their interactions with other
determinants.
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© 2004 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
