Walking for leisure and commuting and association with socioeconomic factors and perceived environment in adults

This study aimed to analyze the association between walking for leisure and commuting and the perceived environment in adults living in Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional household-based study was conducted with 470 adults (45.7±17.8 years). Subjects responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long version) and to an adapted version of the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale, which was used to evaluate the perceived built and social environments. Data analysis was performed using logistic regression. The outcome was walking ≥10minutes/week for leisure or commuting. The prevalence of participants who regularly walked ranged from 20.6% (walking for leisure) to 58.9% (walking for commuting). The prevalence of walking for commuting was higher in women than in men (66.3% and 50.0%, respectively), and walking for leisure was more common among men (21.7% when compared to 19.8% of women). Walking for commuting was associated with the female sex, lower economic classes (C, D, and E), and perceived availability of crosswalks. Walking for leisure was associated with the following individual and environmental variables: age (60 years or above), social class (B2, C, D, and E), invitations by friends and/or neighbors for walking. The results demonstrate that there is an association between perceived environment and walking for leisure or commuting.