Neighbourhood greenness moderates the association between physical activity and geriatric-relevant health outcomes: an analysis of the CLSA.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between baseline physical activity levels of older adults and geriatric-relevant health outcomes at 3-year follow-up, and to determine whether baseline neighbourhood characteristics alter this association. METHODS: Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) were used to assess geriatric-relevant outcomes of physical impairment, medication use, severity of daily pain, and depressive symptoms. Data from the Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) and the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) were used to determine neighbourhood walkability and greenness, respectively. The analytic sample included adults who were 65 years or older at baseline [Formula: see text]. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the base relationships were calculated using proportional odds logistic regression (physical impairment, pain, medication use), and linear regression (depressive symptoms). Moderation effects of environmental factors were assessed using greenness and walkability. RESULTS: The base relationships showed protective associations between each additional hour per week of total physical activity and physical impairment [Formula: see text] daily pain severity [Formula: see text] medication use [Formula: see text], and depressive symptoms [Formula: see text]. Additive moderation effects were seen when greenness was added to physical impairment [Formula: see text], daily pain severity [Formula: see text], and depressive symptoms [Formula: see text] but no moderation was seen with walkability. Sex differences were observed. For example, greenness moderation was found in severity of daily pain in males but not in females. CONCLUSION: Future research investigating geriatric-relevant health outcomes and physical activity should consider neighbourhood greenness as a potential moderator.

Neighborhood greenness, but not walkability, is associated with self-rated measures of health in older adults: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether older Canadians residing in neighborhoods characterized by denser greenness or higher walkability have better self-reported health outcomes at 3-year follow-up. Data on self-reported chronic diseases (composite score of 10 conditions) and self-rated measures of health (general health, mental health, and healthy aging) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) were used as outcomes. The CLSA database was linked with the Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE), a measure of walkability, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a measure of greenness. The analytic sample consisted of adults aged 65 and older (n = 15339, age 72.9 ± 5.6, 50 % female). Crude and adjusted associations were assessed using Poisson regression and proportional odds regression modelling. The 4th quartile of greenness was associated with the chronic disease index and all three measures of self-rated health (general health, mental health, and healthy aging); living in a neighborhood with the highest greenness was associated with better health three years later when compared to those in the lowest quartile of greenness. After adjustment for covariates of age, sex, income, education, and physical activity levels, only the association for the 3rd quartile of greenness was significantly associated with general health (OR: 0.90, 95 %CI: 0.81-0.99) and mental health (OR: 0.88, 95 %CI: 0.79-0.97). Can-ALE was not associated with any of the outcomes assessed. Future research assessing perceived environmental walkability and geriatric relevant health outcomes rather than chronic disease may provide greater insight into our understanding of age-friendly environments.

Leisure sedentary time and physical activity are higher in neighbourhoods with denser greenness and better built environments: an analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Associations of environmental variables with physical activity and sedentary time using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, and the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) dataset, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI, greenness) dataset) were assessed. The main outcome variables were physical activity and sedentary time as measured by a modified version of the Physical Activity for Elderly Scale. The sample consisted of adults aged 45 and older (n = 36 580, mean age 62.6 ± 10.2, 51% female). Adjusted ordinal regression models consistently demonstrated that those residing in neighbourhoods in the highest Can-ALE category (most well-connected built environment) reported more physical activity and sedentary time. For example, males aged 75+ in the highest Can-ALE category had 2 times higher odds of reporting more physical activity (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.5) and 1.8 times higher odds of reporting more sedentary time (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.4). Neighbourhoods with higher greenness scores were also associated with higher odds of reporting more physical activity and sedentary time. It appears that an environment characterized by higher Can-ALE and higher greenness may facilitate physical activity, but it also facilitates more leisure sedentary time in older adults; research using device measured total sedentary time, and consideration of the types of sedentary activities being performed is needed. Novelty: Middle-aged and older adults living in neighbourhoods with higher Can-ALE scores and more greenness report more physical activity and leisure sedentary time Greenness is important for physical activity and sedentary time in middle-aged adults.

Perspectives on Active Transportation in a Mid-Sized Age-Friendly City: "You Stay Home".

BACKGROUND: Active transportation is an affordable and accessible form of transportation that facilitates the mobility of older adults in their communities. Age-friendly cities encourage and support physical activity and social participation among older adults; however, they often do not adequately address active transportation. Our goal was to identify and understand the constraints to active transportation that older adults experience in order to inform the development of viable solutions. METHODS: Focus group interviews were conducted with community dwelling older adults (n = 52) living in the City of Oshawa in Ontario, Canada; each focus group targeted a specific demographic to ensure a diverse range of perspectives were represented. Data were analyzed to identify themes; sub-group analyses were conducted to understand the experience of those from low socioeconomic status and culturally diverse groups. RESULTS: Themes pertaining to environmental, individual, and task constraints, as well as their interactions, were identified. Of particular novelty, seemingly non-modifiable constraints (e.g., weather and personal health) interacted with modifiable constraints (e.g., urban design). Culturally diverse and lower socioeconomic groups had more favorable perspectives of their neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: While constraints to active transportation interact to exacerbate one another, there is an opportunity to minimize or remove constraints by implementing age-friendly policies and practices.