How reported usefulness modifies the association between neighborhood supports and walking behavior

Neighborhood supports have been associated with walking, but this association may be modified by reports about the usefulness of these supports for promoting walking. This study examined the association between reported presence of neighborhood supports and walking and whether usefulness modified this association in a nationwide sample of U.S. adults. Measures of reported presence and use or potential use (i.e., usefulness) of neighborhood supports (shops within walking distance, transit stops, sidewalks, parks, interesting things to look at, well-lit at night, low crime rate, and cars following speed limit) were examined in 3973 adults who completed the 2014 SummerStyles survey. Multinomial regression models were used to examine the association between presence of supports with walking frequency (frequently, sometimes, rarely (referent)) and the role usefulness had on this association. The interaction term between reported presence and usefulness was significant for all supports (p < 0.05). For adults who reported a support as useful, a positive association between presence of the support and walking frequency was observed for all supports. For adults who did not report a support as useful, the association between presence of the support and walking frequency was null for most supports and negative for sidewalks, well-lit at night, and low crime rate. The association between presence of neighborhood supports and walking is modified by reported usefulness of the support. Tailoring initiatives to meet a community's supply of and affinity for neighborhood supports may help initiatives designed to promote walking and walkable communities succeed.