WALK-ITA – Translation, adaptation and Italian validation of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS): cross-sectional observational study on the perception of walkability in the adult population (18+)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Luca Correale
Dear Participant,
You are invited to take part in a research study conducted within the
framework of the project mentioned above, coordinated by Dr. Luca
Correale.
Before deciding whether to participate, in a responsible and informed
manner, please read the information below carefully.
The main objective of the WALK-ITA Project is the validation of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) questionnaire in the Italian language. In addition, among the secondary aims, the project intends to explore the perception of walkability within the general adult population (≥ 18 years) living in Italy, as well as to analyse the relationship between perceived walkability and quality of life and lifestyle factors.
The analysis of the data collected will help deepen knowledge on this topic, providing useful insights for the development of urban policies aimed at creating more accessible, sustainable environments that support quality of life and healthy lifestyles, thus contributing to a more integrated and systemic approach to prevention.
Participation in the research project involves, in a first
stage,completing a questionnaire containing socio-demographic questions,
including: gender, age, weight, height, current address (street, city,
province and postal code), educational level, occupation, potential
presence and type of chronic diseases, and any functional
limitations.
Each participant will be asked to complete questionnaires on quality of
life and lifestyle habits.
On a voluntary basis, participants may provide an email
address to be contacted for the second phase of the study.
Participation in the study is voluntary,
free of charge, and does not involve direct clinical
benefits, although it may offer indirect benefits at both individual and
collective levels.
The study focuses on the concept of walkability, i.e. the
degree of ease and safety with which people can walk within their
neighbourhood.
In an increasingly sedentary society, promoting physical activity
through well-designed urban environments is essential.
Features such as sidewalks, green spaces and services directly reachable
on foot influence levels of physical activity and, consequently,
people’s physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Promoting a more active lifestyle is essential to consider the living
environment as a potential target for intervention, where neighbourhood
walkability plays a key role.
In Italy, however, the assessment of walkability remains
limited, mainly due to the scarcity of validated tools in the Italian
language.
Our study aims to fill this gap, providing a more complete and
contextual understanding of walkability in the Italian context.
Completing the questionnaires will offer participants an opportunity to
reflect on the quality of their living environment and how it may
influence their daily well-being. Participating means making a concrete
contribution to promoting community health.
You have the right to withdraw your consent to participate in this study at any time, without prior notice and without providing a reason.
Data processing will be carried out anonymously. Each questionnaire will be assigned an alphanumeric identification code that will not allow identification of the participant. All references that could make it possible to link results to any individual will be removed. The results of the research will be published in aggregated form and will not be traceable to any single person.