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Associations of Perceived Community Environmental Attributes with Walking in a Population-Based Sample of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

No studies have yet examined the associations of physical environmental attributes specifically with walking in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine associations of perceived community physical environmental attributes with walking for transport and for recreation among adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Participants were 771 adults with type 2 diabetes who completed a self-administered survey on perceived community physical environmental attributes and walking behaviors.

Results

Based on a criterion of a minimum of 120-min/week, some 29% were sufficiently active through walking for transport and 33% through walking for recreation. Significantly higher proportions of those actively walking for transport and for recreation had shops or places to buy things close by (67.8% and 60.9%); lived within a 15-min walk to a transit stop (70.6% and 71.0%); did not have dead-end streets close by (77.7% and 79.8%); reported interesting things to look at (84.8% and 84.4%); and lived close to low-cost recreation facilities (81.3% and 78.8%). In addition, those actively walking for transport reported living in a community with intersections close to each other (75.6%) and with sidewalks on their streets (88.1%). When these variables were entered simultaneously into logistic regression models, living close by to shops was positively related to walking for transport (OR = 1.92, 99% CI = 1.11–3.32).

Conclusions

Consistent with findings from studies of healthy adult populations, positive perceptions of community environmental attributes are associated with walking for transport among adults with type 2 diabetes. The now-strong public health case for environmental innovations to promote more walking for transport is further reinforced by the potential to benefit those living with diabetes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) and Canadian Diabetes Association. Taylor is supported with a Studentship Award from AHFMR. Leslie is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia Public Health Fellowship #301261. Plotnikoff is supported by salary awards from AHFMR and Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Owen is supported by a Program Grant (#301200) from NHMRC of Australia and by a Research Infrastructure Grant from Queensland Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Lorian M. Taylor R.D., M.P.H., Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D. & John C. Spence Ph.D.

  2. School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    Eva Leslie Ph.D.

  3. Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D.

  4. Cancer Prevention Research Center, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Neville Owen Ph.D.

  5. 1001 College Plaza, 8215-112 Street, T6G 2C8, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Lorian M. Taylor R.D., M.P.H.

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  1. Lorian M. Taylor R.D., M.P.H.
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  2. Eva Leslie Ph.D.
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  3. Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D.
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  4. Neville Owen Ph.D.
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  5. John C. Spence Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Lorian M. Taylor R.D., M.P.H..

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Taylor, L.M., Leslie, E., Plotnikoff, R.C. et al. Associations of Perceived Community Environmental Attributes with Walking in a Population-Based Sample of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. ann. behav. med. 35, 170–178 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9021-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9021-3

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