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1.
Prev Med ; 173: 107552, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37211251

ABSTRACT

Accumulating evidence suggests that the built environment may be associated with cardiovascular disease via its influence on health behaviours. The aim of this study was to estimate the associations between traditional and novel neighbourhood built environment metrics and clinically assessed cardio-metabolic risk factors among a sample of adults in Canada. A total of 7171 participants from Albertas Tomorrow Project living in Alberta, Canada, were included. Cardio-metabolic risk factors were clinically measured. Two composite built environment metrics of traditional walkability and space syntax walkability were calculated. Among men, space syntax walkability was negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (b = -0.87, 95% CI -1.43, -0.31 and b = -0.45, 95% CI -0.86, -0.04, respectively). Space syntax walkability was also associated with lower odds of overweight/obese among women and men (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.87, 0.99 and OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.79, 0.97, respectively). No significant associations were observed between traditional walkability and cardio-metabolic outcomes. This study showed that the novel built environment metric based on the space syntax theory was associated with some cardio-metabolic risk factors.


Subject(s)
Environment Design , Walking , Adult , Male , Humans , Female , Walking/physiology , Obesity/epidemiology , Alberta/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Residence Characteristics
2.
J Urban Health ; 100(5): 1024-1031, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37581709

ABSTRACT

There is evidence that higher street connectivity and availability of destinations can support walking behavior. However, the availability of data and comparability between previous studies remain a challenge. Based on a large Canadian adult sample, this study examined the associations between street layout and walking behaviors and explored whether objectively measured destinations may mediate these relationships. This study used data from 12,378 adults from Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP), a prospective cohort study conducted in Alberta, Canada. Walking behaviors were obtained by questionnaires. Street layout and destination measures were calculated objectively. Covariate-adjusted multivariate linear models estimated the associations between the space syntax street integration and duration of transport and leisure walking. The mediation effects of the availability of destinations in these associations were tested by the structural equation modelling. Street integration was significantly positively associated with transportation walking (b=0.01, 95% CI 0.00, 0.01, p = 0.01) (indirect effect). The availability of destinations partially mediated this association. Using the natural movement theory in space syntax, our study provides insights into using street layouts as a primary measure to (re)design the built environment to support walking.


Subject(s)
Environment Design , Residence Characteristics , Adult , Humans , Prospective Studies , Canada , Walking
3.
J Med Internet Res ; 25: e43549, 2023 02 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36780208

ABSTRACT

There has been a growing interest in the "metaverse," and discourse about how this platform may contribute to different fields of science is already beginning to emerge. In this paper, we discuss key opportunities and uncertainties about how a metaverse might contribute to advancing knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of the built environment and public health aimed at reducing noncommunicable diseases.


Subject(s)
Noncommunicable Diseases , Public Health , Humans , Built Environment , Interdisciplinary Studies , Knowledge
4.
BMC Public Health ; 22(1): 2190, 2022 11 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36437475

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Understanding factors contributing to an individual reducing screen time is essential for promoting a healthy weight. Parents' behavior affects children by influencing their daily decision-making through modeling, rules or restrictions, social support, and co-participation. We examined how the direct and indirect effects of parents' and children's behaviors regarding screen time influenced body mass index (BMI) among Japanese elementary school children. METHODS: We included 283 Japanese children, one child per household, aged 6-12 years, who were randomly selected from resident registries of two cities. The questionnaires were completed by children and their mothers and fathers. Screen time and sociodemographic attributes, including sex, age, employment status, height, and weight, were assessed using a mail-based survey. Path analyses were conducted to determine associations among children's, fathers', and mothers' variables. It was hypothesized that after controlling for household income and children's sex and age, mothers' and fathers' screen time on weekdays and weekends would be related to children's weekdays and weekend screen time, respectively. In addition, we hypothesized that children's weekday and weekend screen time was related to children's BMI. RESULTS: Both fathers' and mothers' weekday screen times were associated with children's weekday and weekend screen times. BMI was affected by children's weekday screen time (0.117). The path coefficients for the indirect effects of mothers' and fathers' screen time on children's BMI through children's weekday screen time were 0.016 from the fathers' weekday screen time and 0.024 from the mothers' weekday screen time (GFI = .980, AGFI = .953, RMSEA = .030, AIC = 93.030). CONCLUSIONS: Both fathers' and mothers' weekday screen times indirectly affected children's BMI through children's weekday screen time among Japanese elementary school children. The strongest indirect effects could be seen by examining the paths of a mother's weekday screen time through children's screen time to BMI. Mothers who spend much time with their children are role models, and their behavior could affect the child's behavior. The findings imply that intervention strategies to reduce screen time in children should also focus on modeling the mothers' behavior.


Subject(s)
Parent-Child Relations , Screen Time , Child , Female , Humans , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Cross-Sectional Studies , Mothers , Parents , Male , Adult
5.
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act ; 17(1): 148, 2020 11 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33218343

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many desk-based workers can spend more than half of their working hours sitting, with low levels of physical activity. Workplace neighbourhood built environment may influence workers' physical activities and sedentary behaviours on workdays. We reviewed and synthesised evidence from observational studies on associations of workplace neighbourhood attributes with domain-specific physical activity and sedentary behaviour and suggested research priorities for improving the quality of future relevant studies. METHODS: Published studies were obtained from nine databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, Transport Research International Documentation, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, and CINAHL) and crosschecked by Google Scholar. Observational studies with quantitative analyses estimating associations between workplace neighbourhood built environment attributes and workers' physical activity or sedentary behaviour were included. Studies were restricted to those published in English language peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2019. RESULTS: A total of 55 studies and 455 instances of estimated associations were included. Most instances of potential associations of workplace neighbourhood built environment attributes with total or domain-specific (occupational, transport, and recreational) physical activity were non-significant. However, destination-related attributes (i.e., longer distances from workplace to home and access to car parking) were positively associated with transport-related sedentary behaviour (i.e., car driving). CONCLUSIONS: The findings reinforce the case for urban design policies on designing mixed-use neighbourhoods where there are opportunities to live closer to workplaces and have access to a higher density of shops, services, and recreational facilities. Studies strengthening correspondence between the neighbourhood built environment attributes and behaviours are needed to identify and clarify potential relationships. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The protocol of this systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 2 December 2019 (registration number: CRD42019137341 ).


Subject(s)
Built Environment , Exercise/physiology , Residence Characteristics , Sedentary Behavior , Workplace , Humans , Observational Studies as Topic
6.
Prev Med ; 120: 126-130, 2019 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30695718

ABSTRACT

Research has examined spatial distribution of physical activity, mostly focusing on between-area differences by examining associations of area-level walkability measures with physical activity. Within-area distribution is also relevant, since larger disparities in physical activity within an area can contribute to greater inequalities in health. However, associations of within-area disparity in walking and walkability have been examined only at a large geographical scale (city level). This cross-sectional study examined associations of local-area walkability measures with within-area disparities in residents' walking and car use, using data collected in the 2009 South-East Queensland Travel Survey in Australia. For each Statistical Area 2 (SA2), we calculated disparity indices of the duration of walking and car use among participants aged 18-84 years, using Gini coefficients. Linear regression examined associations of the disparity measures with population density, street connectivity, and Walk Score. Analyses were conducted for 196 SA2s, which contained 15,895 participants. Higher walkability was associated with lower levels of disparity in walking and higher levels of disparity in car use, regardless of the measures used. Each one-SD increment in Walk Score was associated with a 0.64 lower SD in walking disparity and a 0.50 higher SD in car-use disparity, after adjusting for covariates. The associations remained significant after further adjusting for car ownership. Higher walkability is known to be associated with more walking and less car use. This study extends previous knowledge by showing that higher local-area walkability can be associated with less inequality in residents' walking and higher diversity in their car use.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving/statistics & numerical data , Exercise/physiology , Healthy Lifestyle , Physical Fitness/physiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Walking/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Queensland , Residence Characteristics , Sex Factors , Young Adult
7.
BMC Public Health ; 19(1): 1489, 2019 Nov 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31703665

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although the main targets for reducing workplace sedentary behavior have been clarified, only a few studies have examined the association between social-ecological factors and workplace sedentary behavior for effective intervention. The present study aimed to examine the social-ecological factors of workplace sedentary behavior among Japanese sedentary workers. METHODS: Participants were recruited via a cross-sectional mail survey targeting randomly sampled 6000 middle-aged people dwelling in Matsuyama-city and Koto-ku in Japan. Participants answered a questionnaire on social-ecological factors, recorded their work time in a diary, and wore a triaxial accelerometer during waking time for 7 consecutive days. Workplace sedentary behavior was measured using accelerometer and was referred to as the work time in the recorded diary. Full-time workers who had mainly sitting work and valid accelerometer data were included in the analysis. Workplace sedentary variables were sedentary breaks per sedentary hour, sedentary time, and ≥ 30 min bouts of sedentary time. The associations between each sedentary variable and social-ecological factors were explored by conducting three multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 227 participants (133 men, mean age 49.9 ± 6.9 years) were included in the analysis. In the overall sample, "typically seeing work colleagues take sedentary breaks" was significantly associated with more sedentary breaks (B [95% confidence interval {CI}=1.40 [0.07 to 2.73]) and shorter ≥30-min bouts of sedentary time (B [95% CI] = -7.08 [-13.75 to -0.40]). "I am motivated to take sedentary breaks" had an unfavorable association with less sedentary breaks (B [95% CI] = -1.36 [-2.61 to -0.12]) and longer sedentary time (B [95% CI] = 4.15 [0.29 to 8.00]). In male workers, "Too stressed to take sedentary breaks" was significantly associated with less sedentary breaks (B [95% CI] = -5.6 [-9.17 to -2.02]). CONCLUSIONS: Seeing work colleagues take sedentary breaks may be important for reducing workplace sedentary behavior. Those who are more sedentary are motivated to take sedentary breaks. Male workers who feel the need to take sedentary breaks at work are more sedentary.


Subject(s)
Accelerometry/statistics & numerical data , Sitting Position , Social Environment , Work/statistics & numerical data , Workplace/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Motivation , Sedentary Behavior , Surveys and Questionnaires , Work/physiology
9.
J Aging Phys Act ; 27(3): 354-359, 2019 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30160570

ABSTRACT

Older adults are often considered more vulnerable to environmental factors than are younger adults. We examined whether the associations of objectively measured environmental attributes (Walk Score; street connectivity) with walking for transport differed between younger- (25-44 years), middle- (45-64 years), and older-aged (65-84 years) adults, using a large Australian sample of 14,656 people. Walk Score and street connectivity were similarly associated with walking (any; 30+ min/day) in all age groups. Contrary to commonly held views, the study did not find any evidence suggesting that older adults may be more sensitive to their environment to get out and walk than are younger adults, at least for the environmental attributes examined in this study. Further research is needed to investigate if there are particular environmental factors that hinder older adults from being active.


Subject(s)
Exercise , Residence Characteristics , Walking , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Australia , City Planning , Cross-Sectional Studies , Environment Design , Exercise/physiology , Exercise/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Travel , Walking/physiology , Walking/psychology
10.
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act ; 15(1): 33, 2018 04 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29615131

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent associations of neighbourhood walkability with adults' body weight have been reported. Most studies examining the relationships of walkability and adiposity are cross-sectional in design. We examined the longitudinal relationships of two walkability indices - conventional walkability and space syntax walkability, and their individual components, with weight change among adults over four years. METHODS: Data were from the Physical Activity in Localities and Community study in Adelaide, Australia. In 2003-2004, 2650 adults living in 154 Census Collection Districts (CCDs) returned baseline questionnaires; in 2007-2008, the follow-up survey was completed by 1098. Participants reported their weight at baseline and at follow-up. Neighbourhood walkability indices were calculated using geographic information systems and space syntax software. Linear marginal models using generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors were fitted to examine associations of the two walkability indices and their individual components with the weight at follow-up, adjusting for baseline weight, socio-demographic variables, and spatial clustering at the level of CCD. RESULTS: The overall mean weight gain over four years was 1.5 kg. The two walkability indices were closely correlated (r = 0.76, p < 0.01). No significant associations were found between the overall neighbourhood walkability indices and weight change. Among walkability components, there was a marginally significant negative association between space syntax measure of street integration and weight change: one standard deviation increment in street integration was associated with 0.31 kg less weight gain (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Using a prospective study design and a novel space-syntax based measure of walkability, we were not able to identify relationships between neighbourhood walkability with weight gain. This is consistent with other inconclusive findings on the built environment and obesity. Research on the built environment and adults' weight gain may need to consider not just local environments but also a larger scale environment within a city or workplace environment in order to capture multiple behaviours relevant to weight gain.


Subject(s)
Environment Design , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Walking , Weight Gain , Adult , Australia , Censuses , Cities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Geographic Information Systems , Health Behavior , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
Prev Med ; 115: 126-133, 2018 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30145352

ABSTRACT

Neighborhood environmental attributes have been found to be associated with residents' time spent walking and in physical activity, in studies from single countries and in multiple-country investigations. There are, however, mixed findings on such environmental relationships with sedentary (sitting) time, which primarily have used evidence derived from single-country investigations with self-reported behavioral outcome measures. We examined potential relationships of neighborhood environmental attributes with objectively-assessed sedentary time using data from 5712 adults recruited from higher and lower socio-economic status neighborhoods in 12 sites in 10 countries, between 2002 and 2011. Ten perceived neighborhood attributes, derived from an internationally-validated scale, were assessed by questionnaire. Sedentary time was derived from hip-worn accelerometer data. Associations of individual environmental attributes and a composite environmental index with sedentary time were estimated using generalized additive mixed models. In fully adjusted models, higher street connectivity was significantly related to lower sedentary time. Residential density, pedestrian infrastructure and safety, and lack of barriers to walking were related to higher sedentary time. Aesthetics and safety from crime were related to less sedentary time in women only. The predicted difference in sedentary time between those with the minimum versus maximum composite environmental index values was 71 min/day. Overall, certain built environment attributes, including street connectivity, land use mix and aesthetics were found to be related to sedentary behavior in both expected and unexpected directions. Further research using context-specific measures of sedentary time is required to improve understanding of the potential role of built environment characteristics as influences on adults' sedentary behavior.


Subject(s)
Accelerometry/statistics & numerical data , Built Environment/statistics & numerical data , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Sedentary Behavior , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Global Health , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Self Report , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Walking/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult
12.
Prev Med ; 96: 124-128, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28007494

ABSTRACT

Street layout is consistently associated with adults' travel behaviors, however factors influencing this association are unclear. We examined associations of street layout with travel behaviors: walking for transport (WT) and car use; and, the extent to which these relationships may be accounted for by availability of local destinations. A 24-h travel diary was completed in 2009 by 16,345 adult participants of the South-East Queensland Household Travel Survey, Australia. Three travel-behavior outcomes were derived: any home-based WT; over 30min of home-based WT; and, over 60min of car use. For street layout, a space syntax measure of street integration was calculated for each Statistical Area 1 (SA1, the smallest geographic unit in Australia). An objective measure of availability of destinations - Walk Score - was also derived for each SA1. Logistic regression examined associations of street layout with travel behaviors. Mediation analyses examined to what extent availability of destinations explained the associations. Street integration was significantly associated with travel behaviors. Each one-decile increment in street integration was associated with an 18% (95%CI: 1.15, 1.21) higher odds of any home-based WT; a 10% (95%CI: 1.06, 1.15) higher odds of over 30min of home-based WT; and a 5% (95%CI: 0.94, 0.96) lower odds of using a car over 60min. Local destinations partially mediated the effects of street layout on travel behaviors. Well-connected street layout contributes to active travel partially through availability of more local destinations. Urban design strategies need to address street layout and destinations to promote active travel among residents.


Subject(s)
City Planning , Environment Design , Travel , Walking , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Queensland , Residence Characteristics , Surveys and Questionnaires
13.
J Urban Health ; 94(6): 847-854, 2017 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28900893

ABSTRACT

Several studies have examined how the associations of built environment attributes with walking behaviors may be moderated by socioeconomic status (SES). Such understanding is important to address socioeconomic inequalities in health through urban design initiatives. However, to date, there is no study examining the moderation effects of SES in the relationships of environmental attributes and walking in non-Western countries. The current study aims to examine associations of environmental attributes with walking behaviors among Japanese adults, and to test whether these associations were moderated by area-level SES. Data on walking were collected from Japanese adults using a nationwide Internet survey (N = 4605). Built environment measures including population density, street density, distance to the nearest public open space, and distance to the nearest commercial destination were calculated using geographic information systems software. An index of neighborhood deprivation was used as an area-level indicator of SES. Logistic regression models adjusted for clustering and sociodemographic variables were used. It was found that more residents in high SES areas walked for commuting, for errands, and for exercise compared with those who lived in low SES areas. When the whole sample was examined, all environmental attributes were associated with walking behaviors (except for street density not being associated with walking for exercise). Associations of environmental attributes with walking behaviors were moderated by area-level SES only in walking for exercise. Walking for exercise was associated with higher population density, higher street density (marginally significant), and shorter distance to the nearest commercial destination only in high SES areas. Our findings showed that the associations of these environmental attributes and walking behaviors were largely consistent across different SES levels. Therefore, urban design interventions focusing on low SES areas may help to reduce socioeconomic disparities in walking.


Subject(s)
Environment Design/statistics & numerical data , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Social Class , Walking/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Geographic Information Systems , Health Behavior , Humans , Japan , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Renewal , Young Adult
14.
Public Health Nutr ; 20(18): 3304-3315, 2017 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28879832

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dietary intake, BMI and supermarket access at varying geographic scales and transport modes across areas of socio-economic disadvantage, and to evaluate the implementation of an urban planning policy that provides guidance on spatial access to supermarkets. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study used generalised estimating equations to investigate associations between supermarket density and proximity, vegetable and fruit intake and BMI at five geographic scales representing distances people travel to purchase food by varying transport modes. A stratified analysis by area-level disadvantage was conducted to detect optimal distances to supermarkets across socio-economic areas. Spatial distribution of supermarket and transport access was analysed using a geographic information system. SETTING: Melbourne, Australia. SUBJECTS: Adults (n 3128) from twelve local government areas (LGA) across Melbourne. RESULTS: Supermarket access was protective of BMI for participants in high disadvantaged areas within 800 m (P=0·040) and 1000 m (P=0·032) road network buffers around the household but not for participants in less disadvantaged areas. In urban growth area LGA, only 26 % of dwellings were within 1 km of a supermarket, far less than 80-90 % of dwellings suggested in the local urban planning policy. Low public transport access compounded disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid urbanisation is a global health challenge linked to increases in dietary risk factors and BMI. Our findings highlight the importance of identifying the most appropriate geographic scale to inform urban planning policy for optimal health outcomes across socio-economic strata. Urban planning policy implementation in disadvantaged areas within cities has potential for reducing health inequities.


Subject(s)
Body Mass Index , City Planning , Environment Design , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban Population , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet , Female , Fruit , Geographic Information Systems , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Residence Characteristics , Risk Factors , Transportation , Urbanization , Vegetables
15.
BMC Geriatr ; 17(1): 280, 2017 Dec 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29212458

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDS: The purpose of this study was to examine, in a sample of Japanese older adults, the associations of objectively-assessed sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) with performance-based physical function. The isotemporal substitution (IS) approach was used to model simultaneously the effects of the specific activity being performed and the activity being displaced, in an equal time-exchange manner. METHODS: Among 287 older adults (65-84 years), we used accelerometers to identify the daily average time spent on SB (≤1.5 METs); light-intensity PA (LIPA) (>1.5 to <3.0 METs); and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) (≥3.0 METs). Physical function was assessed using five performance-based measures: hand grip strength, usual and maximum gait speeds, timed up and go, and one-legged stance with eyes open. We employed three linear regression models - a single-activity model, a partition model, and an IS model - to assess the associations of SB, LIPA, and MVPA with each of the five measures of physical function. RESULTS: There were significant positive associations in the single-activity and partition models between MVPA and the measures of physical function (with the exception of hand grip strength). The IS models found that replacing SB or LIPA with MVPA was significantly and favorably associated with physical function measures. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that replacing small amounts of SB and LIPA with MVPA (such as 10 min) may contribute to improvements in older adults' physical function.


Subject(s)
Exercise/physiology , Physical Fitness/physiology , Sedentary Behavior , Accelerometry , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Asian People , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hand Strength/physiology , Humans , Male
16.
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act ; 13(1): 121, 2016 Nov 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27881173

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood walkability has been shown to be associated with walking behavior. However, the availability of geographical data necessary to construct it remains a limitation. Building on the concept of space syntax, we propose an alternative walkability index, space syntax walkability (SSW). This study examined associations of the full walkability index and SSW with walking for transport (WT). METHODS: Data were collected in 2003-2004 from 2544 adults living in 154 Census Collection Districts (CCD) in Adelaide, Australia. Participants reported past week WT frequency. Full walkability (consisting of net residential density, intersection density, land use mix, and net retail area ratio) and SSW (consisting of gross population density and a space syntax measure of street integration) were calculated for each CCD using geographic information systems and space syntax software. Generalized linear models with negative binomial variance and logarithmic link functions were employed to examine the associations of each walkability index with WT frequency, adjusting for socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: Two walkability indices were closely correlated (ρ = 0.76, p < 0.01). The associations of full walkability and SSW with WT frequency were positive, with regression coefficients of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.17) and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.19), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SSW employs readily-available geographic data, yet is comparable to full walkability in its association with WT. The concept and methods of space syntax provide a novel approach to further understanding how urban design influences walking behaviors.


Subject(s)
Environment Design , Residence Characteristics , Walking , Adult , Australia , Censuses , Female , Geographic Information Systems , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Population Density , Transportation , Urban Population
17.
Prev Med ; 83: 26-30, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26656405

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of time spent sitting in cars with markers of cardio-metabolic risk in Australian adults. METHOD: Data were from 2800 participants (age range: 34-65) in the 2011-12 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study. Self-reported time spent in cars was categorized into four groups: ≤15min/day; >15 to ≤30min/day; >30 to ≤60min/day; and >60min/day. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose, a clustered cardio-metabolic risk score, and having the metabolic syndrome or not. Multilevel linear and logistic regression analyses examined associations of car time with each cardio-metabolic risk outcome, adjusting for socio-demographic and behavioral variables and medication use for blood pressure and cholesterol/triglycerides. RESULTS: Compared to spending 15min/day or less in cars, spending more than 1h/day in cars was significantly associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, and clustered cardio-metabolic risk, after adjusting for socio-demographic attributes and potentially relevant behaviors including leisure-time physical activity and dietary intake. Gender interactions showed car time to be associated with higher BMI in men only. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged time spent sitting in cars, in particular over 1h/day, was associated with higher total and central adiposity and a more-adverse cardio-metabolic risk profile. Further studies, ideally using objective measures of sitting time in cars and prospective designs, are needed to confirm the impact of car use on cardio-metabolic disease risk.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Biomarkers/blood , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Adult , Aged , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Sedentary Behavior , Time Factors , Waist Circumference/physiology
18.
BMC Public Health ; 16(1): 1003, 2016 Sep 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27655373

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The dramatic rise in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) in the oil-producing countries of the Arabian Peninsula is driven in part by insufficient physical activity, one of the five main contributors to health risk in the region. The aim of this paper is to review the available evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for this region. Based on the findings, we prioritize an agenda for research that could inform policy initiatives with regional relevance. METHODS: We reviewed regional evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour to identify the needs for prevention and policy-related research. A literature search of peer-reviewed publications in the English language was conducted in May 2016 using PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. 100 studies were identified and classified using the Behavioural Epidemiology Framework. RESULTS: Review findings demonstrate that research relevant to NCD prevention is underdeveloped in the region. A majority of the studies were epidemiological in approach with few being large-scale population-based studies using standardised measures. Correlates demonstrated expected associations with health outcomes, low levels of physical activity (particularly among young people), high levels of sedentary behaviour (particularly among men and young people) and expected associations of known correlates (e.g. gender, age, education, time, self-motivation, social support, and access). Very few studies offered recommendations for translating research findings into practice. CONCLUSIONS: Further research on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the Arabian Peninsula using standard assessment tools is urgently needed. Priority research includes examining these behaviours across the four domains (household, work, transport and leisure). Intervention research focusing on the sectors of education, health and sports sectors is recommended. Furthermore, adapting and testing international examples to the local context would help identify culturally relevant policy and programmatic interventions for the region.

19.
Prev Med ; 77: 141-9, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26051198

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity recommendations are beginning to address sedentary behaviors - time spent sitting. Environmental and policy initiatives for physical activity might assist in addressing sedentary behaviors, but sedentary-specific innovations may be required. This review synthesizes current evidence on associations of neighborhood environmental attributes with adults' sedentary behaviors. METHODS: A search was conducted using three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Transport Research Information Services). Relevant articles were assessed for their eligibility for inclusion (English-language articles with a quantitative examination of associations of neighborhood environmental attributes with adults' sedentary behaviors). RESULTS: Within 17 studies meeting inclusion criteria, associations of environmental attributes with sedentary behaviors were examined in 89 instances. Significant associations were found in 28% (n=25) of them; however, non-significant associations were found in 56% (n=50) of these instances. The most consistent association was for lower levels of sedentary behavior among residents of urban compared to regional areas. CONCLUSIONS: There is a modest but mixed initial evidence in associations of neighborhood environmental attributes with adults' sedentary behaviors. A research agenda required for this emerging field should include the development of more relevant conceptual models, measuring domain-specific sedentary behavior objectively, examining environments in close vicinity of and a larger area around home, and the use of prospective designs.


Subject(s)
Environment Design , Residence Characteristics , Sedentary Behavior , Exercise , Health Behavior , Humans , Urban Population , Walking
20.
J Urban Health ; 92(2): 242-52, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25539783

ABSTRACT

Studies on the mismatch between objective and perceived measures of walkability and walking provide insights into targeting interventions. These studies focused on those living in more walkable environments, but perceiving them as less walkable. However, it is equally important to understand how the other mismatch (living in less walkable areas, but perceiving them as walkable) is related to walking. This study examined how the mismatch between perceived and objective walkability measures (i.e., living in less walkable areas, but perceiving them as walkable, and living in more walkable areas, but perceiving them as less walkable) was associated with walking. Baseline data from adult participants (n = 1466) of the RESIDential Environment Project (Perth, Australia in 2004-06) collected self-report neighborhood walking for recreation and transport in a usual week and participants' perceptions of street connectivity and land use mix in their neighborhood. The exposure was the mismatch between objective and perceived measures of these. Multilevel logistic regression examined associations of walking with the mismatch between perceived and objective walkability measures. Perceiving high walkable attributes as low walkable was associated with lower levels of walking, while perceiving a low walkable attribute as walkable was associated with higher levels of walking. Walking interventions must create more pedestrian-friendly environments as well as target residents' perceptions.


Subject(s)
Environment , Perception , Residence Characteristics , Walking , Adult , Aged , Australia , Female , Geographic Information Systems , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Recreation , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban Health
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