Geographic Factors Affecting Healthy Lifestyle Changes in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Robert J. Petrella, Emily Kennedy, Tom J. Overend
Primary Institution: University of Western Ontario
Hypothesis
Does the proximity to physical activity and healthy eating facilities influence the success of exercise prescriptions in older adults?
Conclusion
Access to physical activity facilities is more important for older adults prescribed exercise by physicians than for those who adopt exercise independently.
Supporting Evidence
- CRF responders lived closer to parks and had lower BMI.
- HSA cohort showed higher fitness correlated with greater distance to physical activity facilities.
- Non-responders lived closer to high-fat eating facilities.
- Access to physical activity facilities was linked to better health outcomes for those prescribed exercise.
Takeaway
This study found that older adults who were told by their doctors to exercise did better when they lived close to places to be active, while those who chose to exercise on their own didn't need that same access.
Methodology
Two cohorts of older adults were given exercise prescriptions and their health outcomes were measured over 12 months and 5 years, with GIS used to analyze proximity to physical activity and eating facilities.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data and geographic profiling.
Limitations
The study may not generalize to younger populations or those with different health conditions.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 48 to 92 years, with one cohort having cardiovascular risk factors and the other being healthy sedentary adults.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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