Environmental Determinants of Walking for Various Purposes

目的：本研究的目的是研究环境因素与不同目的步行之间的关系。方法：对居住在日本筑波、小叶、静冈和鹿儿岛市的2000名年龄在20岁到69岁之间的男性和女性进行横断面研究。环境评价采用日文版简写邻里环境可步行度量表。对于步行的评估，使用了加速计和一份问卷，该问卷询问受试者不同目的的步行频率和持续时间。使用Logistic回归模型计算按环境水平进行活动行走的优势比，并根据年龄、性别和教育水平进行调整。结果：对736例受试者(年龄47.9±14.3岁，男性；有效率45.6%；有效率36.8%)进行分析。八个环境因素中的五个，居住密度、土地利用组合、获得服务的机会、人行道和美学与总步行时间显著相关。按性别和年龄组对不同目的步行的分析揭示了环境因素与步行之间复杂的关联模式，这取决于步行的目的、性别和年龄组。例如，日常步行与居住密度和获得服务的机会有关。另一方面，休闲步行与人行道、美学和交通安全有关。在女性中，日常散步更多地受到环境的影响。另一方面，闲暇时间散步对男性的影响更大。环境与休闲散步的关系在老年人群中被观察到，而在年轻年龄组中没有观察到。结论：在日本人中，环境因素与不同目的步行之间的关联得到了证实。环境是促进体力活动的潜在重要因素。

OBJECTVE: The objective of this study was to examine the association between environmental factors and walking for various purposes. METHODS: Across-sectional study was conducted using a random sample of 2,000 men and women who were from 20 to 69 years old and were living in Tsukuba, Koganei, Shizuoka and Kagoshima City in Japan. For the assessment of environments, Japanese version of Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used. For the assessment of walking, accelerometer and a questionnaire which asks subjects about walking frequency and duration for various purposes were used. Odds ratios of active walking by environmental levels were calculated adjusted for age, sex and education levels using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data from 736 subjects (age; 47.9+/-14.3 years old, male; 45.6%, response rate; 36.8%) was analyzed. Five of eight environmental factors, Residential density, Land use mix, Access to services, Sidewalk and Aesthetics were significantly related to total walking duration. Analyses of walking for various purposes by sexes and by age groups revealed complicated patterns of association between environmental factors and walking depending on purposes of walking, sexes and age groups. For example, the walking for daily purpose was related to Residential density and Access to services. On the other hand, leisure time walking was related to Sidewalk, Aesthetics and Traffic safety. Walking for daily purpose was more influenced by environments among women. On the other hand, leisure time walking was more influenced among men. The relationships between environments and leisure time walking were observed in older age groups, but not in young age group. CONCLUSION: Associations between environmental factors and walking for various purposes were confirmed among Japanese. Environments are potentially important factors for physical activity promotion.