Table 1 Characteristics of the selected articles/studies (N = 42)

 Africa

1

2.4

 Asia

6

14.3

 Europe

9

21.4

 North America

18

42.9

 Oceania

5

11.9

 South America

3

7.1

 Urban

34

81.0

 Urban, suburban and/or rural

5

11.9

 Not reported

3

7.1

 Cross-sectional

42

100.0

 Longitudinal

0

0.0

 Quasi-experimental

0

0.0

 Area-level socio-economic status

21

50.0

 Walkability aspects

22

52.4

 Urbanisation

4

9.5

 Demographics

3

7.1

 None

12

28.6

  ≤ 100

1

2.4

 101-300

7

16.7

 301-500

15

35.7

 501-1000

9

21.4

 1001 – 2500

6

14.3

  > 2500

4

9.5

  Administrative/census area

15

35.7

  400-500 m

9

21.4

   ≥ 1000 m

2

4.8

  variable/not fixed

2

4.8

  10-20 min walk from home

13

31.0

  Other participant delimitation

7

16.7

  Unknown

1

2.4

 SNQLS

6

14.3

 Active Living Study

4

9.5

 BEPAS Seniors

3

7.1

 EpiFloripa Elderly

3

7.1

 HK Elderly 1

3

7.1

 Montreal’s Household Travel Survey

2

4.8

 Single publication from studies with name

12

28.6

 Single publication from studies with no name

9

21.4

 Residential density/urbanisation

15

35.7

  Objectively assessed

4

9.5

  Perceived

11

26.2

 Walkability

11

26.2

  Objectively assessed

11

26.2

  Perceived

0

0.0

 Street connectivity

15

35.7

  Objectively assessed

3

7.1

  Perceived

12

28.6

 Access to/availability of services and destinations^b

33

78.6

  Objectively assessed

15

35.7

  Perceived

19

45.2

 Pedestrian & cycling infrastructure

25

59.5

  Objectively assessed

6

14.3

  Perceived

19

45.2

 Aesthetics and cleanliness/order

19

45.2

  Objectively assessed

3

7.1

  Perceived

16

38.1

 Safety and traffic

24

57.1

  Objectively assessed

5

11.9

  Perceived

19

45.2

 Total walking for transport^c

35

83.3

  Continuous – frequency

5

11.9

  Continuous – amount

11

26.2

  Categorical – any, yes/no

10

23.8

  Categorical – 60+ min/week, yes/no

5

11.9

  Categorical – 150+ min/week, yes/no

1

2.4

  Categorical – daily, yes/no

1

2.4

  Categorical – 3 categories/levels

3

7.1

 Within-neighbourhood walking for transport^c

4

9.5

  Continuous – frequency

2

4.8

  Continuous – amount

4

9.5

 Total cycling for transport

2

4.8

  Continuous – amount

1

2.4

  Categorical – daily, yes/no

1

2.4

 Active travel (walking + cycling)

5

11.9

  Continuous – frequency

1

2.4

  Continuous – amount

3

7.1

  Categorical – 3 categories/levels

1

2.4

  Socio-demographics

6

14.3

  Psychosocial factors

1

2.4

  Vehicle ownership or driving status

1

2.4

  Health status/functionality

3

7.1

  Area-level income

4

9.5

  Residential density/urbanisation

2

4.8

  Pedestrian infrastructure

1

2.4

  Safety and traffic

2

4.8

  None

25

59.5