Associations between neighbourhood walkability and daily steps in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundHigher street connectivity, land use mix and residential density (collectively referred to as neighbourhood walkability) have been linked to higher levels of walking. The objective of our study was to summarize the current body of knowledge on the association between neighbourhood walkability and biosensor-assessed daily steps in adults.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, and Embase (Ovid) for articles published prior to May 2014 on the association between walkability (based on Geographic Information Systems-derived street connectivity, land use mix, and/or residential density) and daily steps (pedometer or accelerometer-assessed) in adults. The mean differences in daily steps between adults living in high versus low walkable neighbourhoods were pooled across studies using a Bayesian hierarchical model.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 8,744 unique abstracts. Thirty of these underwent full article review of which six met the inclusion criteria. Four of these studies were conducted in Europe and two were conducted in Asia. A meta-analysis of four of these six studies indicates that participants living in high compared to low walkable neighbourhoods accumulate 766 more steps per day (95 % credible interval 250, 1271). This accounts for approximately 8 % of recommended daily steps.ConclusionsThe results of European and Asian studies support the hypothesis that higher neighbourhood walkability is associated with higher levels of biosensor-assessed walking in adults. More studies on this association are needed in North America.

The Influence of the Objective and Subjective Physical Neighbourhood Environment on the Physical Activity of Older Adults: A Case Study in the Malaysian Neighbourhoods of Johor Bahru

“…The results showed that respondents who gave lower lack of cul-de-sac scores tended to indicate a PA of C3. Therefore, contrary to [21], this study found that a greater number of cul-de-sacs resulted in a PA of C3, possibly because every cul-de-sac in Nusantara has a small pedestrian lane to the other street, which increases the likelihood that respondents in Nusantara would walk easily around in their home vicinities but only within their residential district boundaries.…”

“…Other studies have found that PNEO measures such as land use mix entropy [19][20][21], population density [19,21,22], traffic intersection density [13,[23][24][25][26] and proximity to recreation areas [26][27][28] influence the PA levels of older adults. While these types of PNEO measures are reliable in representing the objective physical characteristics of the neighbourhood environment that can strongly influence the PA level in older adults, in some cases, local considerations are also needed.…”

The Association of Urban Greenness and Walking Behavior: Using Google Street View and Deep Learning Techniques to Estimate Residents’ Exposure to Urban Greenness

“…Street intersection density [60,61,62], land-use mix [63], population density [60], number of shops, distance to the closest Mass Transit Rail (MTR) station, and number of bus stops [64,65] were objectively assessed in the buffers of participants’ dwelling locations in GIS platform. The land-use mix was assessed by entropy score to show the degree of land use diversity of three types: Commercial, office, and residential [63].…”

Variation in the physical activity environment according to area‐level socio‐economic position—A systematic review

“…Reviews assessing the relationship between the physical activity environment and individual physical activity behaviours have found walkability, more diverse land‐use mix, access to recreational facilities, public open space and green space, residential density, and street connectivity to be associated with higher physical activity levels in children and adolescents. In adults, neighbourhood walkability and opportunity for active transport were found to be associated with increased physical activity levels. A majority of studies in these reviews were cross‐sectional, and in one review, only a third of papers included objectively measured environments and physical activity levels.…”