Evidence synthesis - A systematized literature review on the associations between neighbourhood built characteristics and walking among Canadian adults

Abstract

Introduction Evidence to date suggests that the built environment has the potential to facilitate and even discourage physical activity. A limitation of previous reviews is that they have typically not been country-specific. We conducted a systematized literature review of quantitative studies that estimated associations between the built environment—which were objectively measured—and walking among Canadian adults. Methods Five scientific databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in all years up to December 31, 2016, that estimated the association between the built environment (i.e. objectively measured using audits and Geographic Information Systems [GIS]) and physical activity among a sample of Canadian adults. The database searches, title and abstract screen, full-text review and data extraction were undertaken by two reviewers. Results Of 4140 articles identified, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies included data from a single Canadian province. All but two studies were cross-sectional. Most studies captured self-reported walking for transportation and walking for any purpose. Overall walkability and land use were consistently associated with walking for transportation, while proximity to destinations was associated with walking for any purpose. Conclusion Our review findings suggest that the built environment is potentially important for supporting adult walking. Overall walkability, land use and proximity to destinations appear to be important given their association with transportation walking and walking for any purpose.

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

“…Overall walkability was associated with physical activity among men and women however, the relationship between overall walkability and LW was stronger for women and the relationship between overall walkability and minutes of VPA was only significant among women. walkability, land use, and proximity to destinations) were consistently associated with TW (Farkas et al, 2019). Our finding that overall walkability was associated with TW supports previous evidence of consistent associations between walkability and TW (Wendel-Vos et al, 2007).…”

“…They found overall walkability and land use were consistently associated with transportation walking. Additionally, proximity to destinations was associated with walking for any purpose (Farkas et al, 2019). Inconsistent evidence existed linking the built environment with leisure walking (Farkas et al, 2019).…”

The Role of Urban Morphology Design on Enhancing Physical Activities and Public Health

“…The results of BEPAS confirm that walking in Europe is directly related to physical activity and associates with important economic advantages such as reducing costs [65]. Considering two distinct studies conducted on walkability in neighborhoods and physical activity in America and Australia, the results represent an effective relationship between the socioeconomic status of the environment, walking and physical activity [66][67][68]. Based on the report of the American surgical association (ASA), physical activity results in improving public health, and at least 31min of daily walking is regarded as essential for individuals [19].…”

“…From among the physical criteria affecting physical activities, spatial safety, accessibility, urban facilities and furniture, spatial integration and connectivity, and environmental comfort were the most important priorities obtained from the analyses. Most of the previous studies have emphasized the existence of a direct relationship between these criteria and physical activities [66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. From among the functional criteria, functional diversity and spatial flexibility played a significant role in enhancing physical activities.…”

The Role of Urban Morphology Design on Enhancing Physical Activity and Public Health

“…The results of BEPAS confirm that walking in Europe is directly related to physical activity and is associated with important economic advantages such as reducing costs [65]. Considering two distinct studies conducted on walkability in neighborhoods and physical activity in America and Australia, the results represent an effective relationship between the socioeconomic status of the environment, walking and physical activity [66][67][68]. Based on the report of the American surgical association (ASA), physical activity results in improving public health, and at least 31 min of daily walking is regarded as essential for individuals [19].…”