Urban planning to enhance physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour among the older adult population

"Rethinking the way cities are built to promote healthy and sustainable living is now a trans-sector pursuit. For public health, this has been fuelled by global concerns about rising levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour, and its effects on functional decline in the older adult population. An increase in life expectancy is shaping the population pyramid towards a much older population. Previous studies had shown than one in four older adults will spend time in a long-term care facility, placing a significant economic and social burden to our health care system.
Factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour in previous studies have typically been focused at the individual level, such as demographics, psychological factors, health status, lifestyle, social support, and resource access. However, many experts have suggested that health promotion needs to be conducted based on an ecological approach that considers individual and environmental levels. Recent environmental factors have included density/urbanization, greenery, scenery aesthetics, and parks and open space.
Interventions required to addressing these major public health challenges (i.e., design of compact, pedestrian friendly accessible, attractive, safe, greener and convivial neighbourhoods) will also help address other pressing global issues including reducing functional dependence and loneliness among older adults.
Thus, we aim to:
(1) Investigate whether the built environment of several neighbourhoods of Barcelona is associated with recommended amounts of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among older adults according to the new 2020 World Health Organization guidelines.
(2) Undergo a participatory approach with relevant stakeholders in order to co-create which are the most pressing needs in designing long-term care settings (indoor and outdoor spaces) and community settings (outdoor spaces) to enhance movement and reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults.
"

"Rethinking the way cities are built to promote healthy and sustainable living is now a trans-sector pursuit. For public health, this has been fuelled by global concerns about rising levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour, and its effects on functional decline in the older adult population. An increase in life expectancy is shaping the population pyramid towards a much older population. Previous studies had shown than one in four older adults will spend time in a long-term care facility, placing a significant economic and social burden to our health care system.
Factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour in previous studies have typically been focused at the individual level, such as demographics, psychological factors, health status, lifestyle, social support, and resource access. However, many experts have suggested that health promotion needs to be conducted based on an ecological approach that considers individual and environmental levels. Recent environmental factors have included density/urbanization, greenery, scenery aesthetics, and parks and open space.
Interventions required to addressing these major public health challenges (i.e., design of compact, pedestrian friendly accessible, attractive, safe, greener and convivial neighbourhoods) will also help address other pressing global issues including reducing functional dependence and loneliness among older adults.
Thus, we aim to:
(1) Investigate whether the built environment of several neighbourhoods of Barcelona is associated with recommended amounts of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among older adults according to the new 2020 World Health Organization guidelines.
(2) Undergo a participatory approach with relevant stakeholders in order to co-create which are the most pressing needs in designing long-term care settings (indoor and outdoor spaces) and community settings (outdoor spaces) to enhance movement and reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults.
"