Dog-walking in dense compact areas: The role of neighbourhood built environment. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koohsari, Mohammad Javad; Nakaya, Tomoki; McCormack, Gavin R.; Shibata, Ai; Ishii, Kaori; Yasunaga, Akitomo; Liao, Yung; Oka, Koichiro
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 61(2020:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Urban design -- Physical activity -- Ultra-dense environment -- Animal-human health -- Urban form -- Pets; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: There is a dearth of evidence about how high-density living may influence dog-walking behaviour. We examined associations between neighbourhood built environment attributes and dog-ownership and dog-walking behaviour in Japan. Data from 1058 participants were used. The dog-ownership was 18.8%. All neighbourhood built attributes (excluding availability of parks) were negatively associated with dog-ownership. Among dog-owners, these same attributes were positively associated with any dog-walking in a usual week and with achieving 150-min per week of physical activity through dog-walking alone. These findings provided evidence on the importance of neighbourhood built environment attributes on dog-ownership and dog-walking behaviour in dense and compact areas. The urban design and public health implication of these findings is that the built environment attributes in high-density living areas may have different impacts on dog-ownership and dog-walking: while living in a walkable neighbourhood may not be conducive to dog-ownership, it may support dog-walking in such areas. Programs targeting dog-owners in high-density areas might be needed to encourage them to walk their dogs more. If successful, these programs could contribute to higher physical activity levels among dog-owners. Highlights: It is unclear how high-density living may influence dog-walking. Living in dense compact areas was not associated with dog-ownership, but was associated with dog-walking. The built attributes in high-density living areas have different impacts on dog-ownership and dog-walking.