Influence of proximity to green areas on walking frequency of elderly people over 10 years

EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24220/2318-0919v21e2024a12347

Keywords:

Green areas, Walking, Commuting, Elderly, Leisure

Abstract

The practice of regular physical activity brings numerous health benefits, especially among the elderly population. One of the most commonly practiced activities by people of all ages is walking, an easily accessible physical activity. Encouraging walking, whether for commuting and/or leisure, represents a strategy to increase the level of physical activity among the elderly. The presence of green areas, tree-lined streets, parks, and squares near the place of residence are positively associated with walking. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the perception of green areas near the residence and the walking frequency of elderly people in Florianópolis over a 10-year period (2009-2019). The database of the EpiFloripa
Aging Cohort Study, a population-based and household study that monitors the health conditions of a sample
of elderly people (60 years old or older), representative of the urban area of the municipality of Florianópolis (SC), was used. A longitudinal GEE analysis was conducted to determine the effect of green area proximity on walking frequency over the waves of the EpiFloripa Aging. The analysis indicated a significant effect when there is a perceived proximity to green areas in relation to the frequency of walking for commuting, leisure, and both. The results allow us to conclude that the proximity of green areas, parks, tree-lined streets and squares contributed to 53% increase in walking frequency for commuting and a 33% increase in walking frequency for leisure over the course of ten years.

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References

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Published

2024-12-19

How to Cite

Schmitt, I. G., Quialheiro, A., d’ Orsi, E., & Casarin, V. (2024). Influence of proximity to green areas on walking frequency of elderly people over 10 years: EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study. Oculum Ensaios - ISSNe 2318-0919, 21, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.24220/2318-0919v21e2024a12347

Issue

Section

Dossiê: Envelhecimento, território e ambiente