New research from Washington State University shows that small increases in neighborhood walkability could lead to substantial gains for a sedentary population, boosting individuals’ physical activity and ultimately improving their health.
Walkable neighborhoods are dense, populated areas with layouts that support easy access to features like stores and public transportation. While a majority of Americans want to live in a walkable neighborhood, only 10.7% live in highly walkable areas.
That built environment shapes our daily habits more than many of us realize, notes lead study author Glen Duncan, PhD, ACSM-CEP, professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
“Decades of research has shown that encouraging individual-level behavior change around activity and diet is not an effective approach for a healthier population,” Duncan said. “We need to look at the bigger picture and how restructuring our environment can support the changes we want to see.”
The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, builds on previous WSU research that found that each 1% increase in an area’s “walkability” resulted in 0.42% increase in neighborhood walking. When scaled up, a 55% increase in walkability would result in each resident walking about 19 minutes more each week.
“If you can increase activity by 20 minutes in an entire population, that could move the needle on public health,” Duncan said, noting 150 minutes of weekly physical activity is recommended for adults.
Both studies employed twin samples from the Washington State Twin Registry to help rule out other factors that may affect neighborhood choice and exercise habits. By analyzing data from identical and fraternal twins, researchers controlled for the influence of both genetics and family environment.
After establishing a link between neighborhood walkability and increased walking, the researchers conducted a follow-up study to investigate changes over time. Analysis of data from more than 7,400 U.S. twins over 11 years found that participants increased their walking after moving to more walkable neighborhoods, indicating a causal link.
The results provide strong evidence for policymakers and developers to consider in urban planning, including decisions about land use, zoning, and public transit. Allowing mixed-use development and investing in pedestrian-friendly features can help foster more walkable neighborhoods, for instance.
“We need to reorient our thinking to people-centric design,” Duncan said. “We can retrofit existing neighborhoods, but with new developments, we have a blank slate. Let’s get it right from the start.”
While changes in urban planning could make the greatest difference, the study’s findings may also help individuals who are planning a move. Your next neighborhood could help you reap the health benefits of increased walking, from improved cardiovascular fitness and better mood and sleep to reduced risk for a host of chronic conditions.
The research team also plans to explore other potential benefits of walkable neighborhoods. Beyond advantages like improved pedestrian safety, reduced air pollution, and the economic returns of increased foot traffic, walkable neighborhoods may also foster social interaction, which can reduce loneliness and improve mental health outcomes.
In addition to Duncan, the team included Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology researchers Ally Avery, MS, and Ofer Amram, PhD, and contributors from the University of Southern California, University of Washington, and Columbia University.
Media Contact
Stephanie Engle, WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Communications and Marketing, 509-368-6937, stephanie.engle@wsu.edu