abstract: 'This study aims to investigate whether the frequency of neighbourhood

  walks (both for recreation and for transport) is associated with various

  indicators of demographic and socio-economic position, indicators of

  self-reported physical activity and perceived health status. We compare

  the findings with participation (yes/no) in physical exercise/workouts.

  A survey (N = 780) was conducted in the Norwegian town Moss. We used

  linear regression models to assess the potential links between the

  frequency of walks from home and the following self-reported indicators:

  income, education, housing type, employment, age, gender, raised in

  Norway or not, years of residence in Moss, number of financial household

  providers, household with/without children, exerciser or not, activity

  level at work, perceived health status, sedentary minutes per week, and

  dog ownership. The study reveals that neighbourhood walking appeals to

  all adults regardless of demographic situation or socio-economic

  position. Furthermore, owning a dog seems to be a successful factor for

  getting people to walk. Our results show a higher frequency of walks

  from home for transport than for the walk itself (usually called

  recreational walks). Given the global political health goal of

  encouraging people to be more physically active, this study demonstrates

  the potential of walking from a public health perspective. The study

  argues for the importance of health promoting urban planning, with

  attractive and walkable friendly urban environments. Furthermore, the

  study acknowledges the importance of promoting a broader understanding

  of outdoor recreation in urban settings, where neighbourhood walking,

  both for recreation and for transport, should be regarded as an activity

  within the frame of urban recreation.

  Management implications:

  Neighbourhood walking appeals to all adults regardless of demographic

  situation or socio-economic position.

  Young adults and people who are better economically situated favour

  physical exercise more than other adults do.

  In a world dominated by inactive adults, a moderate physical activity

  such as neighbourhood walking has great potential to improve public

  health.

  Public health policy and management should facilitate efficient measures

  to stimulate neighbourhood walking.

  Neighbourhood walking, both for recreation and for transport, should be

  regarded as an activity within the frame of urban recreation; both types

  are mostly performed in people''s leisure time.

  It is important to base urban planning on the principle of developing a

  walkable city.'
affiliation: 'Nordh, H (Corresponding Author), Norwegian Univ Life Sci, Dept Publ
  Hlth Sci, Box 5003, N-1432 As, Norway.

  Nordh, Helena, Norwegian Univ Life Sci, Dept Publ Hlth Sci, Box 5003, N-1432 As,
  Norway.

  Vistad, Odd Inge; Skar, Margrete; Wold, Line C.; Baerum, Kim Magnus, Norwegian Inst
  Nat Res, Oslo, Norway.'
author: Nordh, Helena and Vistad, Odd Inge and Skar, Margrete and Wold, Line C. and
  Baerum, Kim Magnus
author-email: helena.nordh@nmbu.no
author_list:
- family: Nordh
  given: Helena
- family: Vistad
  given: Odd Inge
- family: Skar
  given: Margrete
- family: Wold
  given: Line C.
- family: Baerum
  given: Kim Magnus
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2017.09.005
eissn: 2213-0799
files: []
issn: 2213-0780
journal: 'JOURNAL OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM-RESEARCH PLANNING AND

  MANAGEMENT'
keywords: 'Physical activity; Neighbourhood walking; Physical exercise;

  Socio-economic position; Urban recreation; Urban planning'
keywords-plus: 'PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY; NEIGHBORHOOD; DISADVANTAGE; INEQUALITIES;

  WALKABILITY; ENVIRONMENT; TRANSPORT; BEHAVIOR'
language: English
month: DEC
number-of-cited-references: '53'
pages: 60-66
papis_id: 8285d329319240cb4c77bab5f8cafeec
ref: Nordh2017walkingurban
researcherid-numbers: Kowan, Megan/AAH-7833-2020
times-cited: '22'
title: 'Walking as urban outdoor recreation: Public health for everyone'
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000418098400007
usage-count-last-180-days: '4'
usage-count-since-2013: '45'
volume: '20'
web-of-science-categories: Hospitality, Leisure, Sport \& Tourism
year: '2017'