Estimating Older Adults' Preferences for Walking Programs via Conjoint Analysis
Background
Physical inactivity is a major driver of costly health problems, especially in older adults. Structured walking programs are one approach for increasing physical activity, although there is little information about how the characteristics of these programs influence their effectiveness. It was hypothesized that cash incentives would increase acceptability and effectiveness while a group participation requirement would place a net burden on participants.
Methods
To measure preferences for specific characteristics of walking programs (i.e., minutes per day, days per week, organized or individual/informal group, cash incentive) and the likelihood of participation, a conjoint-analysis survey of 501 inactive adults aged ≥50 years was conducted in October 2006. Data were analyzed in 2007–2008.
Results
The most-preferred program was three 20-minute walks per week. Respondents had a strong preference for programs conducted outside of a formal group setting. Offering an incentive of $9 in cash per week ($468 per year) increased predicted participation by 31%.
Conclusions
The results suggest that the characteristics of walking programs, such as whether they involve participation in a formal group, substantially influence their perceived acceptability and the likelihood of participation. The results also suggest that, independent of other program attributes, modest financial incentives increase the likelihood of program participation by sedentary older adults, and thus are a potential means to increase the effectiveness of walking programs.
aResearch Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
bDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Physical Activity and Health Branch, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia
cDepartment of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Derek S. Brown, PhD, Public Health Economics Program/HSER, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park NC 27709-2194
ABSTRACT