Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China

Global population aging has intensified health challenges for older adults, yet research gaps persist on how rural human settlements mechanically influence elderly health through gender-differentiated perspectives. Leveraging data from the 2024 Rural Environment and Elderly Health Survey (1,084 seni...

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Main Authors: Zhenhua Zheng, Linquan Chen, Yuetong Wang, Yilin Jin, Yanmei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2487262
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author Zhenhua Zheng
Linquan Chen
Yuetong Wang
Yilin Jin
Yanmei Liu
author_facet Zhenhua Zheng
Linquan Chen
Yuetong Wang
Yilin Jin
Yanmei Liu
author_sort Zhenhua Zheng
collection DOAJ
description Global population aging has intensified health challenges for older adults, yet research gaps persist on how rural human settlements mechanically influence elderly health through gender-differentiated perspectives. Leveraging data from the 2024 Rural Environment and Elderly Health Survey (1,084 seniors across 42 counties in Sichuan Province, China), this study employs structural equation modeling to analyze the complex relationships among rural human settlements, walking exercise, neighborhood interaction, and physical function of older adults. Results demonstrate that improved rural human settlements, regular walking, and active social interactions play a collective role in enhancing elderly physical function. Both physical and social behaviors mediate rural human settlements impacts, with social behaviors showing stronger mediation. Notably, the study indicates that rural human settlements exert a more pronounced impact on the physical function of elderly women. While physical activities primarily enhance the physical function of elderly men, the well-being of elderly women is significantly more influenced by social behaviors. The findings advocate prioritizing rural settlement improvements in Sichuan through activity-friendly village spaces and gender-sensitive environmental planning. This study offers actionable insights for enhancing elderly health outcomes while contributing empirical evidence from China to inform global aging initiatives and rural development strategies in developing regions.
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issn 1347-2852
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publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
spelling doaj-art-80b429a6428c4c748857fe213d5cf76e2025-08-20T02:16:21ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering1347-28522025-04-010011710.1080/13467581.2025.24872622487262Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, ChinaZhenhua Zheng0Linquan Chen1Yuetong Wang2Yilin Jin3Yanmei Liu4University of Shanghai for Science and TechnologyUniversity of Shanghai for Science and TechnologyUniversity of Shanghai for Science and TechnologyUniversity of Shanghai for Science and TechnologySouthwest Minzu UniversityGlobal population aging has intensified health challenges for older adults, yet research gaps persist on how rural human settlements mechanically influence elderly health through gender-differentiated perspectives. Leveraging data from the 2024 Rural Environment and Elderly Health Survey (1,084 seniors across 42 counties in Sichuan Province, China), this study employs structural equation modeling to analyze the complex relationships among rural human settlements, walking exercise, neighborhood interaction, and physical function of older adults. Results demonstrate that improved rural human settlements, regular walking, and active social interactions play a collective role in enhancing elderly physical function. Both physical and social behaviors mediate rural human settlements impacts, with social behaviors showing stronger mediation. Notably, the study indicates that rural human settlements exert a more pronounced impact on the physical function of elderly women. While physical activities primarily enhance the physical function of elderly men, the well-being of elderly women is significantly more influenced by social behaviors. The findings advocate prioritizing rural settlement improvements in Sichuan through activity-friendly village spaces and gender-sensitive environmental planning. This study offers actionable insights for enhancing elderly health outcomes while contributing empirical evidence from China to inform global aging initiatives and rural development strategies in developing regions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2487262sichuan rural human settlementelderly behaviorsphysical functiongender differences
spellingShingle Zhenhua Zheng
Linquan Chen
Yuetong Wang
Yilin Jin
Yanmei Liu
Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
sichuan rural human settlement
elderly behaviors
physical function
gender differences
title Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
title_full Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
title_fullStr Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
title_full_unstemmed Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
title_short Habitat for health: exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in Sichuan, China
title_sort habitat for health exploring the impact of rural human settlements on elderly behaviors and physical function across gender in sichuan china
topic sichuan rural human settlement
elderly behaviors
physical function
gender differences
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2487262
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