A Scoping Review of the Definition of Walkability and its Relationship with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Abstract

Walkability is a composite factor of the built environment which has been investigated in regards to its relationship with mental illness within a community. This scoping review aims to summarize the definition of walkability, and to investigate its relationship with depression and anxiety in previous literature. Walkability was defined theoretically, and by the subcomponents used in its composite measurement. Inconsistency in the definition of walkability limits the possibility of determining whether it is related to depression or anxiety. Future research should investigate the subcomponents of walkability in order to understand the impact of specific community-level factors on mental health outcomes.