Neighborhood Preference, Walkability and Walking in Overweight/Obese Men

Objectives-To investigate whether self-selection moderated the effects of walkability on walking in overweight and obese men.Methods-240 overweight and obese men completed measures on importance of walkability when choosing a neighborhood (selection) and preference for walkable features in general (preference).IPAQ measured walking.A walkbility index was derived from geographic information systems (GIS).Results-Walkability was associated with walking for transportation (p = .027)and neighborhood selection was associated with walking for transportation (p = .002)and total walking (p = .001).Preference was associated with leisure walking (p = .045)and preference moderated the relationship between walkability and total walking (p = .059). Conclusion-Walkabilityand self-selection are both important to walking behavior.