Walkable scores for selected three east Texas counties: physical activity and policy implications

Authors

  • Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas, USA
  • Fletcher Njororai University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas, USA
  • Billystrom Aronya Jivetti Wiley College, Department of Sociology, Texas

Keywords:

Physical activity, Walk score, Social and built capital, Zip code, Pedestrian, Neighborhood, Walkability.

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity has become an important intervention against overweight and obesity cases in the USA and worldwide. One key aspect of physical activity is walking, which has been identified as a component that can easily be incorporated into one’s lifestyle. Recent studies on physical activity have focused on promoting walking as a health enhancing endeavor. In 2010, the proportion of Texas adults who reported no participation in leisure time activity (26.7%) was significantly higher than the national average (24.4%). However, many Texans, like most Americans, are sedentary.

Purpose: This study examined the walkability of the environments in selected counties in east Texas including Wood, Van Zandt and Smith counties.

Methods and material: The data was drawn from the Walkscore.com and was based on all the zip codes in the three counties in east Texas. The community capitals were used a framework for analysis. 

Results: Only three (8.82%) zip codes had walkable scores between 70 and 89; five (14.71%) had scores between 50 and 69; four (11.76%) between 25 and 49 and 22 (64.71%) had a score below 24.

Discussion: The vast majority (26, 76.47%) of zip codes are highly dependent on vehicle transport.

Conclusions and recommendations: Stakeholders need therefore to focus on causes for the minimal walkability so that practical interventions are generated to enhance the physical activity friendly infrastructure so as to enhance the well-being of the residents in these three east Texas counties.

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Author Biographies

Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas, USA

Associate Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology

Fletcher Njororai, University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas, USA

Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology

Billystrom Aronya Jivetti, Wiley College, Department of Sociology, Texas

Assistant Professor, Wiley College, Department of Sociology, Texas, USA

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Published

2015-09-12

How to Cite

Njororai Simiyu, W. W., Njororai, F., & Jivetti, B. A. (2015). Walkable scores for selected three east Texas counties: physical activity and policy implications. Journal of Human Sciences, 12(2), 674–687. Retrieved from https://j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/3256

Issue

Section

Physical Education and Sport Sciences