The Impact of the Built Environment on Walking as a Leisure-Time Activity Along the U.S./Mexico Border

Background: This study examined if the environmental variables related to transportation walking were related to leisure-time walking. Methods: The sample (N = 452) was 71% female, 79% Hispanic, age 42 ± 17 y, and moderately acculturated. The data was analyzed with multiple stepwise regression. Results: For the entire sample, total time spent walking was related to higher socioeconomic status (SES) (P = 0.02; R2 = 0.06), walking frequency was related to fewer barriers (P = 0.03; R2 = 0.07), and walking duration was related to higher SES (P = 0.02), better health (P = 0.40), fewer barriers (P = 0.02), and living in a residential area (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.08). Among regular walkers, total time spent walking was related to older age (P = 0.03) and fewer physical activity facilities (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.11). Walking frequency was related to older age (P = 0.02), fewer facilities (P = 0.04), and living in a commercial neighborhood (P = 0.02; R2 = 0.11). Conclusions: Most of the variables that influence transportatio...

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