Commuting Distance, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Metabolic Risk

Abstract

Background Limited evidence exists on themetabolic and cardiovascul ar risk correlates of commuting by vehicle, a habitual form of sedentary behavior. Purpose To examine the association between commuting distance, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and metabolic risk indicators. Methods This cross-sectional study included 4297 adults who had a comprehensive medical examination between 2000 and 2007 and geocoded home and work addresses in 12 Texas metropolitan counties. Commuting distance was measured along the road network. Outcome variables included weekly MET-minutes of self-reported physical activity, CRF, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and continuously measured metabolic syndrome. Outcomes were also dichotomized using established cut-points. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol intake, family history of diabetes, and history of high cholesterol, as well as BMI and weekly MET-minutes of physical activity and CRF (for BMI and metabolic risk models). Analyses were conducted in 2011. Results Commuting distance was negatively associated with physical activity and CRF and positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and continuous metabolic score in fully adjusted linear regression models. Logistic regression analyses yielded similar associations; however, of the models with metabolic risk indicators as outcomes, only the associations with elevated blood pressure remained significant after adjustment for physical activity and CRF. Conclusions Commuting distance was adversely associated with physical activity, CRF, adiposity, and indicators of metabolic risk.

Associations between time spent traveling in motor vehicles and physical activity in Colombian adults from urban areas

“…The severity of this problem is exemplified in the fact that the mean time that participants in this study from Bogota spent travelling in motor vehicles per day was 104.7 minutes; 78% and 50%, higher than in the mid urbanization and lowest urbanization levels, respectively. If this trend is not reversed, the significant negative impact that time spent traveling in motor vehicles has on physical activity levels and other health outcomes will likely continue to escalate 13 . In this sense, providing a greater modal of integration between active means of transportation and public transport could be a viable solution.…”

“…A recent study conducted in the Unites States showed that commuting distance was negatively associated with physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness 13 . Most of the evidence related to the association between time spent traveling in motor vehicles and physical activity has focused on active transportation and car use in high-income countries 14,15,16,17 .…”

Transportation and Public Health

“…Research indicates that automobile travel is positively associated with sedentary living and increased body weight (23), whereas increased walking and cycling are associated with reduced obesity and related illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes (1,32). Because most public transit trips include walking links, physical activity tends to increase with public transit travel (39,51).…”

Como estamos indo? Estudo do deslocamento ativo no Brasil

“…At the same time, since cities are the most radical experience of humankind into transforming its own reality, in ways that transform men and women and their families themselves, any discussion around the cities we want for the future is now intrinsically linked to the question of which society we aspire to become . Although changes in urban mobility present great potential for increasing population levels of physical activity (Hoehner et al, 2012;, healthoriented modifications might be challenging. For instance, while increasing walking trips is a health-promoting strategy, long trip distances pose a significant barrier to achieve this goal (Hoehner et al, 2012).…”

“…Although changes in urban mobility present great potential for increasing population levels of physical activity (Hoehner et al, 2012;, healthoriented modifications might be challenging. For instance, while increasing walking trips is a health-promoting strategy, long trip distances pose a significant barrier to achieve this goal (Hoehner et al, 2012). While distance is less of a problem for cycling in comparison to walking, there are several barriers of the urban environment in the context of Latin American cities (Mosquera et al, 2012), including high risks of traffic accidents and injuries .…”