The nicer their neighborhood sidewalks, the more active people tend to be, according to a new study from Detroit.
Previous studies have also found neighborhood characteristics have an impact on healthy behaviors.
"While a number of studies have looked at the presence of sidewalks and their association with physical activity, very few have examined the condition of the sidewalk," said Jamila L. Kwarteng.
She led the new study at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor.
Kwarteng and her coauthors surveyed 919 adults in poor and middle-class neighborhoods in Detroit, asking them how much they exercised and how often.
The researchers also walked around the neighborhoods and rated the condition of sidewalks and streets.
According to results published in the Journal of Public Health, people who lived near more uneven or obstructed sidewalks tended to be less active. That was especially the case for younger people. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_142369.html
No comments:
Post a Comment