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Tuesday, November 11, 2025 @ NOON (EST)
What Gets Older Adults Moving? A Cross-Sectional Study of How Neighbourhoods, People & Places Shape Active Lives in Hong Kong
This topic examines how neighbourhood design and social context are associated with older adults’ physical activity in Hong Kong. Using surveys, accelerometers worn on the waist, and GIS, the study shows that perceived environmental qualities, especially aesthetics, walkability, safety, and social cohesion, are key drivers of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), while family functioning and social network size show no direct effects. Aesthetics are negatively associated with light activity but positively associated with MVPA, and this MVPA benefit is strongest for people with smaller social networks. Spatial analyses reveal clusters of high and low activity and district level effects of access to facilities, road density, terrain, and population and building density. The findings point to geographically tailored, age friendly strategies, such as upgrading pedestrian environments and neighbourhood aesthetics, particularly in socially vulnerable areas, and strengthening community ties to amplify the benefits of supportive places.
Alison Ou is a postdoctoral fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University. She holds a PhD in Sports and Health Sciences and has a strong academic background in social policy, criminology, and conflict resolution. Her research focuses on aging, health equity, and the built environment, examining how sociocultural and environmental factors are associated with physical activity of older adults. With more than seven years of academic research experience, she has contributed to international and interdisciplinary projects across Hong Kong, and New Zealand. She bridges research and policy to develop inclusive, evidence based solutions that strengthen aging societies and support intergenerational cohesion, and she is committed to translating research into action and fostering global partnerships to address demographic change. Alison was a visiting PhD student at the Institute for Life Course & Aging in the Fall of 2024.
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