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Journal of Aging and Health
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Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Disorder in Relation to Walking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

A Multilevel Analysis

Carlos F. Mendes de Leon, PhD

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, cmendes{at}rush.edu

Kathleen A. Cagney, PhD

University of Chicago

Julia L. Bienias, ScD

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago

Lisa L. Barnes, PhD

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago

Kimberly A. Skarupski, PhD

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago

Paul A. Scherr, ScD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Denis A. Evans, MD

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago

Objectives: To examine the role of neighborhood social conditions and walking in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A multi-level analysis of data from 4,317 older adults (mean age = 74.5; 73% black) from a geographically-defined urban community. Participants completed structured interviews including 14 questions on neighborhood conditions and self-reported walking. The neighborhood questions were summarized into individual-level measures of perceived neighborhood social cohesion and disorder. These measures were aggregated by neighborhood to construct neighborhood-level measures of social cohesion and disorder. Results: Neighborhood-level disorder, but not social cohesion, was significantly associated with walking, independent individual-level neighborhood perceptions and other correlates of walking. Further adjustment for race weakened this association to a marginally significant level. Discussion: Neighborhood conditions may shape walking behavior in older adults, especially conditions that reflect physical neglect or social threat. Promotion of walking behavior in older adults may require improvement of the safety and upkeep of the neighborhood environment.

Key Words: aging • neighborhood conditions • walking • physical activity • multilevel models

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 1, 155-171 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264308328650
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