Predictors of regular outdoor walking among Iranian older males, Shiraz, 2016

Abstract

Background: Walking is the most common type of physical activity among older people. A few studies have specifically investigated factors associated with walking behavior of elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine correlates of regular outdoor walking among Iranian males aged 65 to 75 years, living in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a control group matched by age and gender, carried out during June to August 2016 in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Interviews with more than 900 elderly people from 11 municipal divisions of Shiraz city were carried out, and 531 eligible males aged 65 to 75 years, including 127 subjects with regular outdoor walking and 404 controls without this activity during the previous year were identified. Using a checklist, socio-demographic and environmental data were collected. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with regular outdoor walking. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: Higher educational level (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.15, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.28-3.59, P value = 0.004), married status (AOR = 4.10, 95%CI: 1.92 to 8.73, P < 0.001), family support (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.09 to 5.65, P = 0.029), absence of chronic disease (AOR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.17 to 2.34, P = 0.004), access to walkable environments (AOR = 3.69, 95%CI: 1.76 to 7.75, P = 0.001) and safe neighborhoods (AOR = 3.11, 95%CI: 1.62 to 5.98, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with regular outdoor walking among Iranian older males. Conclusions: Being married, having higher education and family support could predict regular outdoor walking among older people. Access to walkable and safe environments are notable environmental factors. Strategies to promote physical activity in older adults should be focused on encouraging regular walking in this age group.