Linking objectively measured physical activity with objectively measured urban form

Frank, Lawrence D.; Schmid, Thomas L.; Sallis, James F.; Chapman, James E.; Saelens, Brian E.

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2004.11.001

Cited by 1,255 publications

(1,052 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Research in this area has been limited because of an inability to obtain representative samples, discern the location of the activity, and realistically utilize existing technology. 13,16 Previous studies did not assess behaviors and environmental conditions simultaneously. This is the basis of momentary ecological assessment, and it has been stressed as a distinct advantage of the observation method.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The block groups were located in an urban area, with a high population density (98 residential dwelling per residential acre) and a grid pattern street design. 16 The total length of transportation routes (i.e., streets and/or sidewalks) in residential areas of the block groups ranged in length from 2,306 to 2,808 m (Mean T SD = 2,583 T 168.0 m). The streets in the block groups ranged in width from 6.5 to 18.3 m (Mean = 8.6 m), and the sidewalks were 1.0 to 1.9 m (Mean = 1.48 m) in width.…”

Section: Geographical Areas Studiedmentioning

confidence: 97%

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A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

Suminski

Petosa²,

Stevens

2006

J Urban Health

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Assessment of physical activity needs to improve in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between characteristics of the environment and physical activity. Our study evaluated a method [Block Walk Method (BWM)] for observing physical activity along residential sidewalks and streets. The BWM was utilized in 12 U.S. Census block groups over a three-month period. Examination transportation routes (ETRs), 1,524 m in length, were constructed and examined in each block group. On 6 days, ETRs were traversed by a trained observer for 50 min. Physical activities, street names, and geographical locations (e.g., addresses) were recorded. We found encouraging results for the BWM. The level of agreement between independent observers was 998% for activity type. The number of individuals seen walking, running, or biking did not differ significantly between the days of the week or observation times. The number of individuals observed was correlated with block group characteristics (e.g., percent walking/biking to work) and weather (e.g., temperature). The BWM is an easy to use, economically viable observational approach to obtaining reliable information concerning physical activities performed on residential streets and sidewalks. Its use could help advance our understanding about the environment-physical activity relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geographical Areas Studiedmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

Suminski

Petosa²,

Stevens

2006

J Urban Health

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“…Land use mix was constructed using the parcel-level Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output dataset, available from the Department of City Planning, with a scale of 0 (single land use) to 1 (an even mix of residential and commercial land uses). 44 The densities of subway and bus stops for the years 2007 and 2004, respectively, were calculated using data provided by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Intersection density was calculated using the street centerline GIS layer from the New York State Accident Location Information System.…”

Section: Physical and Social Environment Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the Environment Near Home and School Associated with Physical Activity and Adiposity of Urban Preschool Children?

et al. 2011

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Preventing sedentary behavior and adiposity in childhood has become a public health priority. We examined urban social and built environment characteristics as correlates of physical activity and anthropometry among 428 preschool children from low-income families in New York City. We measured the children's height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, physical activity by accelerometer, and covariates. We geocoded home and Head Start center addresses and estimated the following for an area within 0.5 km of those two locations using a detailed geographic database: neighborhood composition, walkability, crime and traffic safety, and aesthetic characteristics. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the associations of area characteristics with physical activity or adiposity, adjusted for characteristics of the child, mother, and home. Participants were 2-5 years old, 53% female, 83% Hispanic, and 43% either overweight or obese. Of the walkability indicators, land use mix was associated with physical activity (26 more activity counts/minute per standard deviation increase in mixed land use, p=0.015) and subway stop density was associated with adiposity (1.2 mm smaller sums of skinfold thicknesses sum per standard deviation increase in subway stop density, p=0.001). The pedestrian-auto injury rate, an indicator of traffic safety problems, was associated with physical activity and adiposity (16 fewer activity counts/minute, p=0.033, and 1.0 mm greater skinfold thickness per standard deviation increase in pedestrian-auto injuries, p=0.018). Children living in areas with more street trees were more physically active and those living in areas with more park access had smaller skinfolds. However, many of the tested associations were not statistically significant and some trends were not in the hypothesized direction. Efforts to enhance walkability, safety, and green spaces in the local environment may be relevant to physical activity and adiposity, and therefore to the health of preschool-aged children from low-income families.

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“…6 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Task Force for Community Preventive Services recommends that communities create or enhance access to places for physical activity 7 and implement street-and community-scale measures to improve environmental conditions for physical activity. 8 Toward this end, cities have been working to improve neighborhood, street, and sidewalk conditions for pedestrians and cyclists [9][10][11] and expand areas for recreational physical activity by creating and enhancing parks, playgrounds, and fitness centers. 12,13 Increasingly, cities are also implementing large-scale street closures, or ciclovías, to promote recreational walking, cycling, and skating.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of a Temporary Recurrent Street Closure on Physical Activity in New York City

et al. 2015

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At least 70 US cities have now introduced ciclovías-large-scale street closures to promote physical activity-joining numerous other cities worldwide that have implemented ciclovías in efforts to improve population health. We assessed the impact of Summer Streets, a New York City program in which 6.9 contiguous miles of urban streets were closed to traffic and opened for walking, cycling, and group activities, such as dancing and yoga, on population physical activity levels. Screen line counts were used to estimate attendance, and a street intercept survey was conducted to assess demographic characteristics of participants, baseline adherence to physical activity recommendations, and type and duration of physical activity at Summer Streets. In addition, a traffic study was used to determine if there were vehicular traffic delays as a result of the program. About 50,000 people participated in Summer Streets; among participating New Yorkers, bicyclists averaged 6.7 miles, runners 4.3 miles, and walkers 3.6 miles, equivalent to 72-86 min of moderate physical activity. Among New Yorkers attending Summer Streets, 24 % reported that they did not routinely engage in moderate-or vigorous-intensity physical activity. These non-routine exercisers engaged in the equivalent of 26-68 min of moderate-intensity physical activity at Summer Streets. Summer Streets served as an enticement for New Yorkers, including those who did not ordinarily meet physical activity recommendations, to engage in physical activity. There were no significant vehicular traffic delays during the program.

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Linking objectively measured physical activity with objectively measured urban form

Cited by 1,255 publications

References 23 publications

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

A Method for Observing Physical Activity on Residential Sidewalks and Streets

Is the Environment Near Home and School Associated with Physical Activity and Adiposity of Urban Preschool Children?

The Impact of a Temporary Recurrent Street Closure on Physical Activity in New York City

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