Neighbourhood built environment and transport and leisure physical activity: New Zealand findings using objective exposure and outcome measures

Authors

Karen Witten
Tony Blakely
Nasser Bagheri
Hannah M. Badland
Vivienne C. Ivory
Jamie Pearce
Suzanne Mavoa
Erica Hinckson
Grant Schofield

Year of Publication

2012

Source

Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(7), 191-197

Publication Type

Journal article (peer reviewed)

Publication Status

Completed

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating on associations between neighbourhood built environments and transport-related physical activity. Fewer studies however have investigated leisure-time physical activity. The study authors investigated associations of five objectively measured characteristics of the neighbourhood built environment (destination access, street connectivity, dwelling density, land use mix and streetscape quality) with residents’ self-reported physical activity (transport, leisure and walking) and accelerometer-derived measures of physical activity. The conclusions reached by the study were that associations of neighbourhood destination access, street connectivity and dwelling density with self-reported and objectively measured physical activity were moderately strong, indicating the potential to increase physical activity through changes in neighbourhood characteristics.

Type of Study

Cross-sectional, Survey

How to Access

Access to the full text of the article is free online at, http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104584