Individual characteristics, perceived neighborhood, and walking for transportation among older Brazilian people residing in a large urban area.

This study aimed to investigate the association of individual and environmental characteristics with walking for transportation among older Brazilian people living in a large urban area. Data from 825 participants (≥ 60 years) from a multistage household survey in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were used. Walking for transportation was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The environmental variables included six perceived neighborhood scales (walkability, quality of services, physical disorder, safety, social disorder, and social cohesion). A Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed. The walking for transportation was significantly associated with walkability scale, lower family income (up to four minimum wages), very good/good self-rated health, and high social participation. Our results suggest that promoting adequate conditions for walkability in urban areas, expanding the opportunities for social participation, and improving general health is essential to increase walking levels for transportation among this older Brazilian population.