Associations between neighbourhood street connectivity and sedentary behaviours in Canadian adults: Findings from Alberta's Tomorrow Project.

Evidence suggests that neighbourhood street connectivity is positively associated with physical activity, yet few studies have estimated its associations with sedentary behaviour. We estimated the associations between space syntax derived street integration, a novel measure of street connectivity, and sedentary behaviours among Canadian adults. Data were sourced from a population-based study-Alberta's Tomorrow Project (n = 14,758). Items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire captured sedentary behaviour, including sitting and motor vehicle travel time and walking. Street integration was measured within a 1600m radius of participants' homes. Covariate-adjusted linear regression models estimated the associations between street integration and sedentary behaviour. Street integration was significantly positively associated with daily minutes of sitting on week (b 6.44; 95CI 3.60, 9.29) and weekend (b 4.39; 95CI 1.81, 6.96) days, and for week and weekend days combined (b 5.86; 95CI 3.30, 8.41) and negatively associated with daily minutes of motor vehicle travel (b -3.72; 95CI -3.86, -1.55). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for daily walking participation and duration. More research is needed to understand the pathways by which street integration positively and or negatively affects sedentary behaviour.

Associations between neighbourhood built characteristics and sedentary behaviours among Canadian men and women: findings from Alberta's Tomorrow Project.

Evidence of associations between neighbourhood built characteristics and sedentary behaviours is mixed. The study aim was to investigate the associations between objectively-derived neighbourhood built characteristics and self-reported sedentary behaviours among Canadian men and women. This study sourced survey data from Alberta's Tomorrow Project (2008; n = 14,785), in which sitting and motor vehicle travel times during the last 7 days was measured. Geographic Information System was used to calculate neighbourhood built characteristics within a 400 m buffer of participant's home and a walkability score was estimated. To estimate the associations between neighbourhood characteristics and sedentary behaviours, covariate-adjusted generalized linear regression models were used. Walkability, 3-way intersections, and population count were positively associated with sitting time. Business destinations and greenness were negatively associated with sitting time. Walkability, 3-way, and 4-way intersections were negatively associated with motor vehicle travel time. Sex-specific associations between neighbourhood characteristics and sedentary behaviour were found. Among men, business destinations were negatively associated with sitting time, and 3-way intersections, population count, and walkability were negatively associated with motor vehicle travel time. Among women, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was negatively associated with sitting time. Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviours may need to target neighbourhoods that have built characteristics which might support these behaviours. More research is needed to disentangle the complex relationships between different neighbourhood built characteristics and specific types of sedentary behaviour.

Associations between the traditional and novel neighbourhood built environment metrics and weight status among Canadian men and women.

OBJECTIVES: Neighbourhood characteristics can impact the health of residents. This study investigated associations between objectively derived neighbourhood characteristics, including novel space syntax metrics, and self-reported body mass index (BMI) among Canadian men and women. METHODS: Our study included survey data collected from a random cross-section of adults residing in Calgary, Alberta (n = 1718). The survey, conducted in 2007/2008, captured participants' socio-demographic characteristics, health, and weight status (BMI). Participants' household postal codes were geocoded and 1600-m line-based network buffers estimated. Using a geographical information system, we estimated neighbourhood characteristics within each buffer including business destination density, street intersection density, sidewalk length, and population density. Using space syntax, we estimated street integration and walkability (street integration plus population density) within each buffer. Using adjusted regression models, we estimated associations between neighbourhood characteristics and BMI (continuous) and BMI categories (healthy weight vs. overweight including obese). Gender-stratified analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Business destination density was negatively associated with BMI and the odds of being overweight. Among men, street intersection density and sidewalk length were negatively associated with BMI and street intersection density, business destination density, street integration, and space syntax walkability were negatively associated with odds of being overweight. Among women, business destination density was negatively associated with BMI. CONCLUSION: Urban planning policies that impact neighbourhood design have the potential to influence weight among adults living in urban Canadian settings. Some characteristics may have a differential association with weight among men and women and should be considered in urban planning and in neighbourhood-focussed public health interventions.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les caractéristiques du quartier peuvent avoir des incidences sur la santé des personnes qui y habitent. Notre étude porte sur les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier objectivement dérivées, dont les nouvelles mesures de syntaxe spatiale, et l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) autodéclaré chez les femmes et les hommes au Canada. MéTHODE: L'étude inclut des données d'enquête provenant d'un échantillon aléatoire d'adultes vivant à Calgary, en Alberta (n = 1 718). L'enquête, menée en 2007-2008, a saisi les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, l'état de santé et le statut pondéral (IMC) des participants. Nous avons géocodé le code postal du ménage de chaque participant et estimé les zones tampons d'un réseau de corridors linéaires de 1 600 mètres. À l'aide d'un système d'information géographique, nous avons estimé les caractéristiques du quartier dans chaque zone tampon, dont la densité de destinations d'affaires, la densité d'intersections de rues, la longueur des trottoirs et la densité de population. En faisant appel à la syntaxe spatiale, nous avons estimé l'intégration des rues et la marchabilité (intégration des rues plus densité de population) dans chaque zone tampon. À l'aide de modèles de régression ajustés, nous avons estimé les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier et l'IMC (en continu) et les catégories d'IMC (poids-santé vs. surpoids, y compris l'obésité). Une analyse stratifiée selon le sexe a également été effectuée. RéSULTATS: La densité de destinations d'affaires était négativement associée à l'IMC et à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les hommes, la densité d'intersections de rues et la longueur des trottoirs étaient négativement associées à l'IMC, et la densité d'intersections de rues, la densité de destinations d'affaires, l'intégration des rues et la syntaxe spatiale de marchabilité étaient négativement associées à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les femmes, la densité de destinations d'affaires était négativement associée à l'IMC. CONCLUSION: Les politiques de planification urbaine qui touchent la conception des quartiers ont le potentiel d'influencer le poids des adultes en milieu urbain au Canada. Pour certaines caractéristiques, l'association avec le poids peut être différente entre les hommes et les femmes; il faudrait en tenir compte dans la planification urbaine et les interventions de santé publique au niveau des quartiers.

Associations between the neighbourhood characteristics and body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio: Findings from Alberta's Tomorrow Project.

This study estimated the associations between neighbourhood characteristics and self-reported body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) risk categories among Canadian men and women. Using data from the Alberta's Tomorrow Project (n = 14,550), we estimated 3- and 4-way intersections, business destinations, population count, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within a 400 m radius of participant's home. Intersections, business destinations, and population count (z-scores) were summed to create a walkability score. Four-way intersections and walkability were negatively associated with overweight and obesity. Walkability was negatively associated with obesity. NDVI was negatively associated with high-risk WHR and population count and walkability positively associated with high-risk WHR. Among men, population count and walkability were negatively associated with obesity, and business destinations and walkability were negatively associated with overweight and obesity. Among women, NDVI was negatively associated with overweight (including obesity), obesity, and high-risk WC. Interventions promoting healthy weight could incorporate strategies that take into consideration local built environment characteristics.

A population-based study of the associations between neighbourhood walkability and different types of physical activity in Canadian men and women.

Few Canadian studies have examined whether or not associations between neighbourhood walkability and physical activity differ by sex. We estimated associations between perceived neighbourhood walkability and physical activity among Canadian men and women. This study included cross-sectional survey data from participants in 'Alberta's Tomorrow Project' (Canada; n = 14,078), a longitudinal cohort study. The survey included socio-demographic items as well as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the abbreviated Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-A), which captured perceived neighbourhood built characteristics. We computed subscale and overall walkability scores from NEWS-A responses. Covariate-adjusted generalized linear models estimated the associations of participation (≥10 min/week) and minutes of different types of physical activity, including transportation walking (TW), leisure walking (LW), moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA), and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) with walkability scores. Walkability was positively associated with participation in TW, LW, MPA and VPA and minutes of TW, LW, and VPA. Among men, a negative association was found between street connectivity and VPA participation. Additionally, crime safety was negatively associated with VPA minutes among men. Among women, pedestrian infrastructure was positively associated with LW participation and overall walkability was positively associated with VPA minutes. Notably, overall walkability was positively associated with LW participation among men and women. Different perceived neighbourhood walkability characteristics might be associated with participation and time spent in different types of physical activity among men and women living in Alberta. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of neighbourhood walkability might influence initiation or maintenance of different types of physical activity.

Green Space and Depression during Pregnancy: Results from the Growing Up in New Zealand Study.

Background: Antenatal depression is an important contributor to poor maternal health experienced by some women. This study aimed to determine whether exposure to green space during pregnancy is associated with less depression, and whether this association is moderated by relevant factors, such as age, education, self-identified ethnicity, physical activity, residential rurality, and socioeconomic status. Methods: Health data were sourced from the cohort study "Growing Up in New Zealand" comprised of 6772 participants. Green space was estimated based on the proportion of green space within the Census Area Unit. Adjusted logistic mixed effect models were used to investigate the association between green space and antenatal depression after controlling for confounding variables. Results: Maternal exposure to green space were not associated with lower odds of antenatal depression. Indications of effect modifications due to relevant factors were not observed. Conclusions: This study did not determine an association between access to green space (measured based on the distance to the nearest green space) and antenatal depression. Therefore, a link between green space and antenatal depression was not established. For that reason, ensuring residential areas contain adequate green space may or may not be helpful in preventing antenatal depression and adverse health outcomes associated with this depression. More studies focusing on pregnant women in a range of social contexts, and considering both exposure and access to green space, are warranted to determine the relationships between green space and antenatal depression.

Green space and pregnancy outcomes: Evidence from Growing Up in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether maternal exposure to green space during pregnancy is associated with birth weight and gestational age, and whether these associations are modified by demographic and residential factors. METHODS: Data describing 5091 mother-newborn pairs with residential address during pregnancy linked to data describing their green space exposure. Independent associations determined using linear mixed effects models. RESULTS: Maternal exposure to green space during pregnancy was not associated with birth weight and gestational age for the entire cohort. For pregnant women who have not acquired secondary school education, increased exposure to green space was associated with increased gestational age. CONCLUSION: The provision of green space might prove to be beneficial in terms of increasing gestational age for pregnant women who have not acquired secondary school education qualifications.

Green Space and Physical Activity in Pregnant Women: Evidence From the Growing Up in New Zealand Study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to green space has been associated with increased physical activity. However, it is not clear whether this association is because active people preferentially live in greener areas. Relationships between exposure to green space and physical activity during pregnancy are not well defined. Our objective was to determine whether exposure to green space was associated with physical activity in pregnant women. METHODS: The current study was completed within the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort study of 6772 pregnant women. The proportion of green space in each census area unit was determined and geocoded to residential address. The association between exposure to green space and physical activity was determined using logistic regression analyses after controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS: Exposure to green space was not associated with participation in physical activity during first trimester and the remainder of pregnancy once preference for living in greener neighborhoods was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of association between green space and physical activity found in this study does not necessarily mean that living in green space will not translate into better pregnancy health. Preference for living in greener neighborhoods should be considered when investigating relationships between green space and physical activity.

Blood lead levels in children after phase-out of leaded gasoline in Bombay, India.

The objective of this study was to test for reduction in pediatric blood lead levels (BLLs) in Bombay, India, by comparing BLLs collected in 2002 (after use of leaded gasoline was phased out in Bombay) to those collected in a study conducted by the George Foundation in 1997 (when leaded gasoline was still used in Bombay). We analyzed BLL in a total of 754 children under 12 years of age in two separate sampling campaigns (276 from December 2002 to January 2003 [non-monsoon season]; 478 in June to August 2003 [monsoon season]). BLL was measured using an ESA Lead Care Portable Analyzer. We also measured lead in PM10 samples collected in the study region. These data were compared with a study done by the George Foundation in 1997 before the phase out of leaded gasoline. The George Foundation study reported that 61.8% of the 291 children tested in Bombay had elevated blood lead levels (BLL>or=10 microg/dL). In the present study, 33.2% of the 754 tested children had elevated blood lead levels. The average BLL for the current study population (Geometric Mean=8.36 microg/dL, SD=5.23 microg/dL) was lower than the CDC level of concern (10 microg/dL), with one child diagnosed with lead poisoning (BLL>65 microg/dL). A seasonal trend of BLLs was suggested, with BLL in monsoon season (Geometric Mean=9.1 microg/dL, SD=5.7 microg/dL) higher than that in the non-monsoon season (Geometric Mean=7.3 microg/dL, SD=4.0 microg/dL). A seasonal periodicity of lead in PM10 was found, with lead in monsoon season (Geometric Mean=0.04 microg/m3, SEM=0.000667 microg/m3) lower than that in the non-monsoon season (Geometric Mean=0.38 microg/m3, SEM=0.10 microg/m3). The overall level of airborne dust (PM10) in monsoon season (56.2 microg/m3) was lower than in the non-monsoon season (273.0 microg/m3), presumably due to precipitation. The comparatively higher BLLs in the monsoon season, in the presence of lower air lead levels, suggest ingestion of water or food, with greater lead contamination in the monsoon season, as a possible pathway contributing to elevated BLLs in these children in the monsoon season. These results demonstrate a significant success of the public health system in Bombay, India-achieved by the removal of lead from gasoline. The emphasis should shift in the study region towards sources of lead exposure other than leaded gasoline (lead in paints, lead in Herbal medicines and lead in Kohl).