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Arifwidodo SD, Chandrasiri O. Neighbourhood Walkability and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:387. [PMID: 38673300 PMCID: PMC11050372 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated whether living in a walkable neighbourhood could mitigate the adverse effects of the lockdown and closure of public open spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity among adults in Bangkok, Thailand. We conducted a telephone survey with 579 respondents and collected information on their physical activity, access to green open spaces, neighbourhood walkability, and socioeconomic characteristics during the pandemic. Our study indicates that living in a walkable neighbourhood is associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in sufficient physical activity during the pandemic. Furthermore, we confirm the influence of socioeconomic factors and health behaviours on physical activity levels, aligning with previous research. Notably, our study highlights the significant association between access to green open spaces during lockdown and increased physical activity. These results underscore the importance of promoting walkable neighbourhoods and ensuring accessible green spaces to enhance physical activity and improve health outcomes during and beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigit D. Arifwidodo
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak 10900, Thailand
| | - Orana Chandrasiri
- Activethai.org Research Center, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University Chatuchak 10900, Thailand;
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Ing CT, Ahn HJ, Antonio MCK, Dillard AY, Kekauoha BP, Cassel K, Abrigo S, Kauhane M, Halzel MS, Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula J. Neighborhood-Level Stressors and Individual-Level Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Native Hawaiians: a Cross-Sectional Study. Prev Chronic Dis 2024; 21:E11. [PMID: 38359158 PMCID: PMC10870997 DOI: 10.5888/pcd21.220341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Native Hawaiian people have higher rates of illness and death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) than non-Hispanic White people. Research in other populations has shown that individual-level CVD risk factors (ie, high-fat diet, physical inactivity, obesity, and tobacco use) are associated with neighborhood characteristics (ie, social cohesion, walkability, availability of healthy food, and safety). This association has yet to be examined among Native Hawaiians. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling Native Hawaiian people in 2020. Three multiple regression models and 1 logistic regression model were assessed. Each model included individual-level CVD risk factors, age, sex, education, income, and neighborhood characteristics. Results The regression models for body mass index (BMI) and physical activity showed significant results. The BMI model (R2 = 0.22, F = 4.81, P < .001) demonstrated that age, sex, education level, physical activity, and percentage of fat in the diet were significantly related to BMI. The availability of healthy foods had a significant, independent relationship with BMI (standardized β = -1.47, SE = 0.53, P = .01). The physical activity model (R2 = 0.21, F = 4.46, P < .001) demonstrated that age, sex, education, and BMI were significantly related to physical activity. None of the neighborhood characteristics had significant, independent relationships to physical activity. Conclusions We found that neighborhood-level factors improved the model's ability to explain variance in BMI. Efforts to decrease BMI would benefit from improving the availability of healthy foods in neighborhoods, a finding supported by research in other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Townsend Ing
- Department of Native Hawaiian Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 677 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 1016B, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Hyeong Jun Ahn
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
| | - Mapuana C K Antonio
- Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health, Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
| | | | | | - Kevin Cassel
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
| | - Scott Abrigo
- Kapolei Community Development Corporation, Kapolei, Hawai'i
| | | | - Melody S Halzel
- Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health, Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Zeng P, Xu W, Liu B, Guo Y, Shi L, Xing M. Walkability assessment of metro catchment area: A machine learning method based on the fusion of subject-objective perspectives. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1086277. [PMID: 36561860 PMCID: PMC9763992 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1086277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
China's metro system is developing rapidly. Walking is the most frequently adopted mode to connect to the metro, the attributes of the pedestrian-built environment around the stations directly influence people's willingness to use the metro. However, few studies have paid attention to the comprehensive assessments of the built environment in the metro catchment area. Thus, this paper attempts to construct a walkability evaluation model that combines subjective and objective perspectives. We collected field data of the built environment factors affecting on walkability in the 800 m buffer zone of eight case metro stations in Dalian city, China. We also collected on-site interviews from 867 passengers to evaluate the walkability. A machine learning-based approach was developed to calculate the weights of walkability variables, followed by constructing a Score-Effectiveness framework to identify the built environment factors in the metro catchment area that need to be improved. The study found that the shading facilities, obstacle barriers, and resting seats around pedestrian walkways are the most efficient and imbalanced variables recognized by the crowd. The convenience of overpasses and underpasses are additional efficient imbalance-type variables for leisure and commuting populations, respectively. This indicates that the current level of construction of the above five built environment factors is relatively low, but the construction has a significant impact on the degree of friendliness in supporting pedestrian walkability. In this paper, improvement measures are proposed in a targeted manner in order to achieve the effect of effectively improving the current level of metro catchment area's walkability. The results of the study can provide references to provide strategies for precise pedestrian planning in the metro catchment area, leading to a pedestrian environment with high walking quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zeng
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weixing Xu
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China,*Correspondence: Weixing Xu
| | - Beibei Liu
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China,Yuanyuan Guo
| | - Linfeng Shi
- School of Architecture & Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Meng Xing
- College of Intelligence and Computing, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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McCormack GR, Spence JC, McHugh TL, Mummery WK. The effect of neighborhood walkability on changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during a 12-week pedometer-facilitated intervention. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278596. [PMID: 36455004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pedometer-facilitated interventions encourage physical activity via the accumulation of steps. Mixed evidence suggests that neighborhood walkability might influence the effectiveness of physical activity interventions, including pedometer-facilitated interventions. Our study investigated the moderating effect of neighborhood walkability on immediate (4-week) and short-term (12-week) changes in self-reported neighborhood-specific leisure and transportation walking, leisure-based moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity, and leisure-based screen time during a pedometer-facilitated intervention (UWALK). METHODS This quasi-experiment undertaken in Calgary (Canada) compared behavior changes during the 12-week intervention between two neighborhood groups classified as 'walkable' or 'car dependent' based on Walk Score®. Of the 573 volunteers (adults in the contemplation and preparation stages of physical activity behavior change), 466 participated in UWALK. Surveys captured sociodemographic characteristics, perceived neighborhood walkability, neighborhood preferences, motivation, physical activity and screen-based leisure. Covariate-adjusted linear mixed models estimated the differences in physical activity and leisure screen time between the neighborhood walkability groups at baseline, 4-weeks, and 12-weeks. RESULTS UWALK participants included mostly females (83%) and had an average age of 49.2 years. Weekly minutes of walking for transport inside the neighborhood was higher (p < .001) among participants from walkable versus car dependent neighborhoods at baseline (42.5 vs. 21.1), 4-weeks (81.2 vs. 48.2), and 12-weeks (87.2 vs. 48.0). Regardless of neighborhood walkability, all physical activity outcomes were higher and leisure screen time lower at 4-weeks and 12-weeks compared with baseline. We found no significant neighborhood group by time interactions. CONCLUSIONS Pedometer-facilitated interventions may be effective for supporting short-term changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior even among adults residing in low walkable neighborhoods.
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McCormack GR, Patterson M, Frehlich L, Lorenzetti DL. The association between the built environment and intervention-facilitated physical activity: a narrative systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2022; 19:86. [PMID: 35836196 PMCID: PMC9284898 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01326-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A diverse range of interventions increase physical activity (PA) but few studies have explored the contextual factors that may be associated with intervention effectiveness. The built environment (BE) may enhance or reduce the effectiveness of PA interventions, especially interventions that encourage PA in neighbourhood settings. Several studies have investigated the effects of the neighbourhood BE on intervention-facilitated PA, however, a comprehensive review of evidence has yet to be conducted. In our systematic review, we synthesize evidence from quantitative studies that have examined the relationships between objectively-measured neighbourhood BE and intervention-facilitated PA in adults. Method In October 2021, we searched 7 databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Environment Complete, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for English-language studies reporting on randomized and non-randomized experiments of physical activity interventions involving adults (≥18 years) and that estimated the association between objectively-measured BE and intervention-facilitated physical activity. Results Twenty articles, published between 2009 and 2021, were eligible for inclusion in the review. Among the 20 articles in this review, 13 included multi-arm experiments and 7 included single-arm experiments. Three studies examined PA interventions delivered at the population level and 17 examined interventions delivered at the individual level. PA intervention characteristics were heterogeneous and one-half of the interventions were implemented for at least 12-months (n = 10). Most studies were undertaken in North America (n = 11) and most studies (n = 14) included samples from populations identified as at risk of poor health (i.e., metabolic disorders, coronary heart disease, overweight, cancer, high blood pressure, and inactivity). Fourteen studies found evidence of a neighbourhood BE variable being negatively or positively associated with intervention-facilitated PA. Conclusion Approximately 70% of all studies reviewed found evidence for an association between a BE variable and intervention-facilitated PA. The BE’s potential to enhance or constrain the effectiveness of PA interventions should be considered in their design and implementation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-022-01326-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin R McCormack
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada. .,Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Shinjuku City, Japan.
| | - Michelle Patterson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Levi Frehlich
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Diane L Lorenzetti
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,Health Sciences Library, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Tomioka Y. Relationship between physical activity and mental health in women after childbirth: a cross-sectional exploratory study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:430. [PMID: 35606714 PMCID: PMC9125919 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04758-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physical activity (PA) is recommended for women after childbirth. However, it is unknown whether PA, such as housework and child-rearing, is associated with mental health. This study aimed to measure daily PA in women 2 months postpartum as well as investigate the relationship between daily PA and mental health. Methods In this cross-sectional quantitative exploratory study conducted between September 2017 and May 2018, 110 women were approached for participation. Mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-28, and PA measurements were performed using accelerometers that the participants wore for 2 days. Welch’s t-test and linear regression analysis were performed to assess the relationship between PA and mental health. Results This study included 99 participants. The mean amount of daily activities from housework and child-rearing was 3.21 ± 1.14 metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs)-h/day and that of time spent sitting was at least 7.5 h/12.5 h. PA time spent in light child-rearing and housework activities was significantly longer among multiparous women than among primiparous women (t = − 3.41). PA time comprising the duration of moderate (3 METs) or more vigorous PA was 73 min/day. No significant relationship between mental health and PA was observed. However, the amount of daily activities tended to increase with an improvement in mental health. The amount of daily activities exceeded 3 METs-h/day regardless of the mental health status. Conclusions No significant relationship was found between the amount of daily activities and mental health. The former increased as the latter improved. The amount of daily activities met the standard recommended by the World Health Organization, regardless of the mental health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Tomioka
- Faculty of Nursing, Toho University, 4-16-20 Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-0015, Japan.
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Koohsari MJ, McCormack GR, Shibata A, Ishii K, Yasunaga A, Nakaya T, Oka K. The relationship between walk score® and perceived walkability in ultrahigh density areas. Prev Med Rep 2021; 23:101393. [PMID: 34123713 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Walk Score® was positively correlated with several perceived walkable environmental attributes. There was a large correlation between Walk Score® and access to shops. There was a medium correlation between Walk Score® and overall perceived walkability.
Walk Score® is a free web-based tool that provides a walkability score for any given location. A limited number of North American studies have found associations between Walk Score® and perceived built environment attributes, yet it remains unknown whether similar associations exist in Asian countries. The study’s objective is to examine the covariate-adjusted correlations between the Walk Score® metric and measures of the perceived built environment in ultrahigh density areas of Japan. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a randomly selected sample of adult residents living in two Japanese urban localities. There was a large correlation between Walk Score® and access to shops (0.58; p < 0.001). There were medium correlations between Walk Score® and population density (0.38; p < 0.001), access to public transport (0.34; p < 0.001), presence of sidewalks (0.41; p < 0.001), and access to recreational facilities (0.37; p < 0.001), and there was a small correlation between Walk Score® and presence of bike lanes (0.16; p < 0.001). There was a small negative correlation between Walk Score® and traffic safety (-0.13; p < 0.001). There was a medium correlation between Walk Score® and overall perceived walkability (0.48; p < 0.001). This study's findings highlight that Walk Score® was correlated with several perceived walkable environment attributes in the context of ultrahigh density areas in Asia.
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Crist K, Jankowska MM, Schipperijn J, Rosenberg DE, Takemoto M, Zlatar ZZ, Natarajan L, Benmarhnia T. Change in GPS-assessed walking locations following a cluster-randomized controlled physical activity trial in older adults, results from the MIPARC trial. Health Place 2021; 69:102573. [PMID: 33934062 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study employed novel GPS methods to assess the effect of a multilevel physical activity (PA) intervention on device-measured walking locations in 305 community dwelling older adults, ages 65+ (mean age = 83, 73% women). Retirement communities were randomized to a 1-year PA intervention that encouraged neighborhood walking, or to a healthy aging control condition. Total time and time spent walking in four life-space domains were assessed using GPS and accelerometer devices. The intervention increased the time spent walking as a proportion of total time spent in the Campus, Neighborhood and Beyond Neighborhood domains. Intervention effects on walking location were observed in both genders and across physical and cognitive functioning groups. Results demonstrate that an intervention providing individual, social and environmental support for walking can increase PA in larger life-space domains for a broad spectrum of older adults.
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Sun Y, Lu W, Sun P. Optimization of Walk Score Based on Street Greening-A Case Study of Zhongshan Road in Qingdao. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18031277. [PMID: 33572643 PMCID: PMC7908287 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing the walkability of urban streets is an effective means to improve public health, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance the living environment. In China, the government has actively encouraged green travel and promoted improvements in the walk system. The walkability of the built environment is affected by many factors. In addition to the configuration of daily life facilities, street greening can have significant effects on walkability. To explore the rationality of street life facilities and understand the impact of the natural attributes of the block space (street-level greening) on the quality of the walking environment, we evaluated the walkability of Zhongshan Road in Qingdao, China and optimized the algorithm of the walk score. In this study, we selected residential areas as the starting point and modified the weight coefficients for facilities to evaluate the walkability of streets. Traditional research methods were combined with street view image capture, and the rate of the attenuation factor was used for the new optimization algorithm. We discussed the rationality of street life facilities and increased the green vision rate using a correction index. By comparing changes in walkability before and after joining, we analyzed the necessity of including new indicators. The results show that the average walking index of Zhongshan Road is 79.74, and the overall performance is good, showing a high trend in the west and a low trend in the east, and a high trend in the south and a low trend in the north. According to the general walking index, western stations and southern coastal areas have higher scores, and living facilities are well equipped; old northern and eastern residential areas have lower scores. Among them, the average weight of bookstores is 0.74, and the average weight of parks is 0.69. To meet residents’ needs for daily leisure activities, adding bookstores or similar facilities in community parks would be necessary to improve daily facilities and services. The average green viewing rate of Zhongshan Road is 20.48%, which is lower than the best visual perception value of 25.00%. Comparing the walking index changes before and after adding the green viewing rate, the high-scoring area shifted from the west to the south, and the west walking index has the most significant decline. Street greening has a certain impact on the quality of the walking environment. The results and conclusions of this study can be used as a reference in developing street walkability indicators and further improving the evaluation system.
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