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: Walkability and self-selection are both important to walking behavior.