Mediating role of walking between perceived and objective walkability and cognitive function in older adults

Boeun Kim; Wendy E. Barrington; Adrian Dobra; Dori Rosenberg; Philip Hurvitz; Basia Belza

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102943

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Mediating role of walking between perceived and objective walkability and cognitive function in older adults

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Mediating role of walking between perceived and objective walkability and cognitive function in older adults

Boeun Kim, Wendy E. Barrington, Adrian Dobra, Dori Rosenberg, Philip Hurvitz and Basia Belza

Health & place, Vol.79, pp.102943-102943

01/01/2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102943

PMCID: PMC9928909

PMID: 36512954

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the role of walking in explaining associations between perceived and objective measures of walkability and cognitive function among older adults. The study employed a cross-sectional design analyzing existing data. Data were obtained from the Adult Changes in Thought Activity Monitor study. Cognitive function and perceived walkability were measured by a survey. Objective walkability was measured using geographic information systems (GIS). Walking was measured using an accelerometer. We tested the mediating relationship based on 1,000 bootstrapped samples. Perceived walkability was associated with a 0.04 point higher cognitive function score through walking (p = 0.006). The mediating relationship accounted for 34% of the total relationship between perceived walkability and cognitive function. Walking did not have a significant indirect relationship on the association between objective walkability and cognitive function. Perceived walkability may be more relevant to walking behavior than objective walkability among older adults. Greater levels of perceived walkability may encourage older adults to undertake more walking, and more walking may in turn improve cognitive function in older adults. •Perceived walkability was associated with objectively measured walking.•Walking mediated the association of perceived walkability with cognitive function.•Walking did not mediate the association of objective walkability with cognition.•Perceived walkability may be more relevant to walking behavior in older adults.•An increase in perceived walkability may reduce risk of cognitive aging.

Built environment

Cognitive function

Mediation analysis

Older adults

Walking

Details

Title: Subtitle: Mediating role of walking between perceived and objective walkability and cognitive function in older adults
Creators: Boeun Kim - Johns Hopkins University
Wendy E. Barrington - University of Washington
Adrian Dobra - University of Washington
Dori Rosenberg - Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
Philip Hurvitz - University of Washington
Basia Belza - University of Washington
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Health & place, Vol.79, pp.102943-102943
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102943
PMID: 36512954
PMCID: PMC9928909
NLM abbreviation: Health Place
ISSN: 1353-8292
eISSN: 1873-2054
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2023
Academic Unit: Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984701731502771

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