Neighbourhood walkability, daily steps and utilitarian walking in Canadian adults

Abstract

ObjectivesTo estimate the associations of neighbourhood walkability (based on Geographic Information System (GIS)-derived measures of street connectivity, land use mix, and population density and the Walk Score) with self-reported utilitarian walking and accelerometer-assessed daily steps in Canadian adults.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of data collected as part of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007–2009).SettingHome neighbourhoods (500 m polygonal street network buffers around the centroid of the participant's postal code) located in Atlantic Canada, Québec, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia.Participants5605 individuals participated in the survey. 3727 adults (≥18 years) completed a computer-assisted interview and attended a mobile clinic assessment. Analyses were based on those who had complete exposure, outcome and covariate data (n=2949).Main exposure measuresGIS-derived walkability (based on land use mix, street connectivity and population density); Walk Score.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported utilitarian walking; accelerometer-assessed daily steps.ResultsNo important relationship was observed between neighbourhood walkability and daily steps. Participants who reported more utilitarian walking, however, accumulated more steps (<1 h/week: 6613 steps/day, 95% CI 6251 to 6975; 1 to 5 h/week: 6768 steps/day, 95% CI 6420 to 7117; ≥6 h/week: 7391 steps/day, 95% CI 6972 to 7811). There was a positive graded association between walkability and odds of walking ≥1 h/week for utilitarian purposes (eg, Q4 vs Q1 of GIS-derived walkability: OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.11; Q3 vs Q1: OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.76; Q2 vs Q1: OR=1.13, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.39) independent of age, sex, body mass index, married/common law status, annual household income, having children in the household, immigrant status, mood disorder, perceived health, ever smoker and season.ConclusionsContrary to expectations, living in more walkable Canadian neighbourhoods was not associated with more total walking. Utilitarian walking and daily steps were, however, correlated and walkability demonstrated a positive graded relationship with utilitarian walking.

Residents of highly walkable neighbourhoods in Canadian urban areas do substantially more physical activity: a cross-sectional analysis

“…31 Hajna and colleagues examined adult respondents to the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 1, a subset of our study population, but they did not find significant associations between walkability and objectively measured step counts. 49 Our positive results differ from these null findings, possibly because of the following: the majority of daily physical activity is light physical activity; therefore, studies that assessed "total physical activity" or "step counts" captured mostly light physical activity. 4,5 Common light physical activities include light household cleaning and walking around workplaces, 16 which are not expected to be associated with neighbourhood walkability.…”

“…Two recent studies in Canada analyzed national-level populations using the Walk Score metric to assess walkability. 31, 49 Thielman and colleagues found positive associations between walkability and self-reported total physical activity among people aged 30-64 years, but they did not find associations among those aged 12-17, 18-29 or 65 years and older. 31 Hajna and colleagues examined adult respondents to the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 1, a subset of our study population, but they did not find significant associations between walkability and objectively measured step counts.…”

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

“…No studies were specifically undertaken in the three territories (Nunavut, Northwest Territories or Yukon), though data from the territories were included in two stud ies that used national data. 43,44 Among studies that reported mean age (n = 11), the lowest mean age was 33.6 years 46 and the highest mean age was 75 years. 47 Six study samples involved only older adults (≥50 years).…”

“…trips by foot) reported in travel dia ries. 40,46,48,49,58,59 Three studies measured walking using selfreports and accelerom eters; 40,43,49 one study captured steps/day using pedometers; 60 and two studies audited pedestrian activity using auto mated counters. 51,52 Walking undertaken in the past seven days was most often assessed (n = 16), although walking in the previous day (n = 3), previous 14 days (n = 1) and previous three months (n = 3) were also captured.…”

Sağlıklı Yaşlanma ve Fiziksel Aktivite: Bireysel, Psikososyal ve Çevresel Özelliklerin Buna Katkısı / Healthy aging and physical activity: The contribution of individual, psychosocial and environmental features to this

“…Yürüme yetişkinler arasında fiziksel aktivitenin en yaygın ve tercih edilen şeklidir (34). Yürüme aynı zamanda, tipik sedanter yaşlı yetişkinler arasında da nispeten yaygın olan bir fiziksel aktivitedir.…”