Forest walking frequency among health checkup examinees in a rural area of Hokkaido: Comparison with examinees in an urban area in Shizuoka

The frequency of walking in forested areas was surveyed in residents attending health check-ups in Yakumo Town, a rural area of southern Hokkaido. A total of 578 participants (215 men, 363 women; 39 to 89 years old, mean ± SD age; 64.4 ± 10.2) were included in the analysis. Of these, 14.4 % (n = 83) responded that they walked in a forested area at least once a month; and 31.1% (n=180) that they walked in forested areas at least once a year. Of the participants in their 70 s and 80 s, 9.8% and 14.3%, respectively, responded that they walked in a forested area at least once a week. Frequency of forest walking was significantly lower for participants in Yakumo than for those in west and central areas of Shizuoka Prefecture, after adjusting for age, sex, job and levels of enjoyment of forest walking. However, in men compared to women, in higher age groups, and those in a group enjoying higher levels of enjoyment of forest walking, frequencies of forest walking were significantly higher in Yakumo, the same as in the Shizuoka area.