Is Walk Score Associated With Physical Activity and Screen Time in Brazilian Older Adults?

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Walk Score index with walking to commuting, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and screen time in older adults. Georeferenced addresses were entered into the Walk Score platform. Walking to commute and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and categorized according to the World Health Organization recommendations. Screen time was analyzed through self-reported time watching television/being on the computer. We used binary logistic regression to estimate the association between variables. Older adults who lived in places with higher Walk Score had a higher prevalence of walking to commuting (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval [1.18, 2.55]) and engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (odds ratio = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [1.05, 2.98]). A relationship also was observed between higher Walk Score and more time in screen time (odds ratio = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [1.19, 2.34]). The results showed that residing in a more walkable neighborhood increased the chances of the older adults spending 3 hr or more in front of a screen.

Assessement of the quality of bicycle paths and its correlation with bicycle use in florianópolis / Análise da qualidade das ciclovias e sua relação com o uso de bicicleta em florianópolis

ABSTRACT Bicycle paths are important infrastructures in the cities to promote active commuting. Thus, understanding the information inherent to their quality might help to understand their effects on human behavior. This study aimed at assessing the quality of the bike paths in the city of Florianopolisl by using the QualiCicle instrument. SOPARC tool was used to verify the use profile. A total of 38 cycling axes with a length of 54 km were selected. The qualitative analysis was classified as sufficient, with an overall average of 1.61 points. A total of 6,113 cyclists were observed; the majority was adult men who used to cycle in moderate intensity. Better-quality bike paths had a greater number of cyclists (50.5%). The logistic regression analyzes showed that young people are less likely to use cycle paths classified as 'good' ones (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.24-0.67). Considering per category, there is a greater chance of women to use bike paths with a 'good/excellent' infrastructure quality, and a 'sufficient' and 'good/excellent' signalization. It is concluded that Florianopolis has an adequate bikeway network; however, the infrastructure distribution and the cycle path connections are irregular along the city regions. A better quality of the cycling infrastructures can promote greater use by women and the elderly, groups that perform less physical activity.

RESUMO Ciclovias são estruturas importantes nas cidades para promover o deslocamento ativo. Assim, compreender as informações inerentes à sua qualidade pode auxiliar na compreensão de seus efeitos sobre o comportamento humano. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade das ciclovias de Florianópolis por meio do instrumento QualiCiclo. O instrumento SOPARC foi utilizado para verificar o perfil de uso. Foram selecionados ao todo 38 eixos de ciclovias com 54 km de extensão, sendo a análise qualitativa classificada como suficiente, com média geral de 1,61 pontos. Foram observados 6.113 ciclistas dos quais a Mayria eram homens, adultos e em intensidade moderada. As ciclovias de melhor qualidade possuem Mayr número de ciclistas (50,5%). As análises de regressão logística mostraram que, usualmente, jovens possuem menos chance de utilizarem as ciclovias classificadas como "boa" (OR:0,40; IC95%: 0,24-0,67). Quando observado por categoria, há uma Mayr chance de mulheres utilizarem os eixos de ciclovia que possuem "boa/ótima" qualidade de infraestrutura e "suficiente" e "boa/ótima" qualidade de sinalização. Conclui-se que Florianópolis possui uma rede de ciclovias adequada, contudo, a distribuição das estruturas e conexão de ciclovia é irregular entre as regiões da cidade. Uma Mayr qualidade da infraestrutura cicloviária pode promover Mayr uso por mulheres e idosos, grupos que menos realizam atividade física.