Human Environments Analysis Lab (HEAL)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2016
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
13
Issue
2
First Page
179
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020179
Abstract
This study investigates perceived barriers to walking using data collected from 179 randomly-selected adults between the ages of 18 and 92 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. A survey (Hamilton Active Living Study) asked questions about socio-demographics, walking, and barriers to walking. A series of binary logit models are estimated for twenty potential barriers to walking. The results demonstrate that different barriers are associated with different sub-groups of the population. Females, senior citizens, and those with a higher body mass index identify the most barriers to walking, while young adults, parents, driver’s license owners, and bus pass owners identify the fewest barriers. Understanding who is affected by perceived barriers can help policy makers and health promotion agencies target sub-groups of the population in an effort to increase walking.
Notes
Also available open access in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020179