Influence of childhood experiences on walking behavior during adulthood: Long-term panel data analysis

• Childhood experiences matter in shaping walking behavior during adulthood. • Those who grew up in dense urban environments exhibit stronger likelihood to maintain walking habit during adulthood. • Lower access to vehicle during childhood also increases the likelihood of maintaining walking habit during adulthood. • Underscores the likely long term impact of spatial planning strategies and transportation policies. While a substantial body of literature exists on the factors associated with walking behavior, little is known about the long-term effects of childhood experiences. This study utilizes micro-longitudinal data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) to track the lives of 1,343 Indonesians from childhood to adulthood. Findings from a series of regression analyses provide suggestive evidence of the relative importance childhood experiences play in shaping walking behavior during adulthood. Specifically, exposure to a dense urban environment during childhood appears to increase the likelihood of developing sustained walking behavior in later life. Additionally, our findings reveal that individuals raised in households with lower vehicle ownership are more likely to maintain walking behavior during adulthood compared to otherwise similar individuals from households with higher vehicle ownership. In summary, this study highlights the potential long-term efficacy of spatial planning strategies and transportation policies in fostering a more sustainable travel pattern.