A population-based study of the associations between neighbourhood walkability and different types of physical activity in Canadian men and women. 1-30.

Objective To synthesize literature on the associations between the built environment and physical activity among adults with low socioeconomic status (SES) in Canada. Methods Using a pre-specified study protocol (PROSPERO ID: CRD42019117894), we searched seven databases from inception to November 2018, for peer-reviewed quantitative studies that (1) included adults with low SES living in Canada and (2) estimated the association between self-reported or objectively measured built characteristics and self-reported or objectively measured physical activity. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Findings were synthesized using a narrative approach. Synthesis Of the 8338 citations identified by our search, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies included adults living in one province (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec), with one study including a national sample. All studies were cross-sectional, and none controlled for residential self-selection. Sampling designs and data collection strategies were heterogeneous. Sample sizes ranged between 78 and 37,241 participants. Most studies measured SES using household income. Street connectivity, greenness, destination density, and walkability were positively associated with physical activity. Relative to the objectively measured built environment, associations between the self-reported built environment and physical activity were less consistent. Studies were of fair to good quality. Conclusion Findings suggest that the neighbourhood built environment is associated with physical activity among adults with low SES in Canada. More rigorous study designs are needed to determine whether or not the built environment and physical activity are causally related within this vulnerable population. Résumé Objectif Faire une synthèse de la littérature scientifique sur les associations entre l'environnement bâti et l'activité physique chez les adultes de faible statut socioéconomique (SSE) au Canada. Méthode À l'aide d'un protocole d'étude préétabli (numéro d'identification PROSPERO : CRD42019117894), nous avons interrogé sept bases de données, entre l'inception de chacune et novembre 2018, pour repérer les études quantitatives évaluées par les pairs qui : 1) incluaient des adultes de faible SSE vivant au Canada; et 2) estimaient l'association entre les caractéristiques autodéclarées ou objectivement mesurées de l'environnement bâti et l'activité physique autodéclarée ou objectivement mesurée.

Two studies document the existence and correlates of a widespread social belief, wherein individuals who have recently moved to a new social environment see their peers as more socially connected than they themselves are. In Study 1, the prevalence of this belief was documented in a large sample of first-year students ( N = 1,099). In Study 2, the prevalence of this social belief was replicated in a targeted sample of university students ( N = 389). Study 2 also documented both positive and negative implications of this belief. Specifically, at any given time, students who believed that their peers were more socially connected reported lower well-being and belonging. Over time, however, the belief that one's peers are moderately more socially connected than oneself was associated with more friendship formation.

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This article was written as a continuation of the debate between Mills (2012) and Dobson (2011, 2012) on record-keeping practices, specifically informing clients of their right to access their records and taking notes during sessions. Prior research has found that clients react positively to being shown their records, but no studies have examined the impact of informing clients of their right to access their records. Research on note-taking has been mixed, showing either a negative impact or no impact. This study investigated how perceptions of a therapist are altered by the following: (a) note-taking during a session, (b) informing clients of their rights to access their records, and (c) the combination of note-taking and record-informing. A total of 110 undergraduate students watched 1 of 4 videos designed to credibly simulate a clinical intake session, and then rated the therapist's competency and professionalism. No differences were found on perceptions of competence or professionalism scores across the groups, suggesting that informing clients of their right to access their records and note-taking during sessions do not have a significant influence of perceptions of a therapist. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Background Although socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to modify associations between the neighborhood built environment and physical activity, contradictory results exist. Objectives of this cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis were to: 1) examine whether overall neighborhood walkability and specific built characteristics were associated with walking among adults at a single point in time and after they relocate neighborhoods, and 2) test for effect modification of these associations by SES. Methods We linked longitudinal data from 703 adults who relocated urban neighborhoods between two waves of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (2008–2015) to neighborhood built environment data. We created a walkability index from measures of population counts, street connectivity, and destination diversity within 400 m of participants’ homes. In cross-sectional analyses, we used generalized linear models to estimate associations between built characteristics and minutes walked per week at baseline. For the longitudinal analyses, we used fixed-effects linear regression models to estimate associations between changes in built characteristics and minutes walked per week. We also assessed if indicators of SES (individual education or household income) modified both sets of associations. Results Most cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were small and statistically non-significant. Neighborhood population count (b = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07) and street connectivity (b = − 1.75, 95% CI: − 3.26, − 0.24) were cross-sectionally associated with walking duration among the overall sample. None of the longitudinal associations were statistically significant among the overall sample. There was limited evidence of effect modification by SES, however, we found negative cross-sectional associations between street connectivity and walking among adults with lower education and income, and a positive association between percent change in walkability and change in walking among lower educated adults. Conclusions Despite population count and street connectivity being associated with walking at baseline, changes in these built environment variables were not associated with changes in walking following residential relocation. Our findings also provide evidence, albeit weak, that changes in neighborhood walkability, resulting from residential relocation, might more strongly affect walking among low SES adults. Further longitudinal research is needed to examine built environment characteristics with walking for different purposes and to test for inequitable socioeconomic impacts.

Background There is increasing evidence demonstrating the importance of the neighbourhood built environment in supporting physical activity. Physical activity provides numerous health benefits including improvements in health-related fitness (i.e., muscular, cardiorespiratory, motor, and morphological fitness). Emerging evidence also suggests that the neighbourhood built environment is associated with health-related fitness. Our aim was to summarize evidence on the associations between the neighbourhood built environment and components of health-related fitness in adults. Methods We undertook a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Our data sources included electronic searches in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Environment Complete, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Transport Research International Documentation from inception to March 2021. Our eligibility criteria consisted of observational and experimental studies estimating associations between the neighbourhood built environment and health-related fitness among healthy adults (age ≥ 18 years). Eligible studies included objective or self-reported measures of the neighbourhood built environment and included either objective or self-reported measures of health-related fitness. Data extraction included study design, sample characteristics, measured neighbourhood built environment characteristics, and measured components of health-related fitness. We used individual Joanna Briggs Institute study checklists based on identified study designs. Our primary outcome measure was components of health-related fitness (muscular; cardiorespiratory; motor, and morphological fitness). Results Twenty-seven studies (sample sizes = 28 to 419,562; 2002 to 2020) met the eligibility criteria. Neighbourhood destinations were the most consistent built environment correlate across all components of health-related fitness. The greatest number of significant associations was found between the neighbourhood built environment and morphological fitness while the lowest number of associations was found for motor fitness. The neighbourhood built environment was consistently associated with health-related fitness in studies that adjusted for physical activity. Conclusion The neighbourhood built environment is associated with health-related fitness in adults and these associations may be independent of physical activity. Longitudinal studies that adjust for physical activity (including resistance training) and sedentary behaviour, and residential self-selection are needed to obtain rigorous causal evidence for the link between the neighbourhood built environment and health-related fitness. Trial registration Protocol registration: PROSPERO number CRD42020179807.

Background Few studies have investigated potential links between the built environment and health-related fitness, even though there is some evidence linking neighbourhood built environments to physical activity behaviors and chronic health conditions. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines eight databases were searched from inception to August 2020 using a combination of built environment and health-related fitness terms. Inclusion criteria was limited to quantitative studies that sampled of adults aged 18 years or older with no physical disabilities or health issues that may impact health-related fitness. Results Of the 26,219 citations identified within our comprehensive search, 25 studies met eligibility and underwent data extraction and quality assessment. Objectively measured built environment characteristics (e.g., improved sidewalks, higher street connectivity, older neighbourhoods, higher residential density, and higher land use mix) were associated with increased flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, and body composition. Moreover, perceptions of neighbourhood features such as higher neighbourhood walkability, greater park access and quality, and lower neighbourhood crime, were associated with increased perceived cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. However, many of these findings were from cross-sectional studies where adjustment for key confounders varied. Results also varied by sex in the small number of studies that provided sex-specific stratifications. Conclusions This project may help elucidate the pathway between the built environment and health-related fitness. Key messages Neighbourhood built environment features are associated with aspects of health-related fitness.