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Physical activity environment and Japanese adults’ body mass index
Koohsari, Javad Kaczynski, Andrew T. Hanibuchi, Tomoya Shibata, Ai Ishii, Kaori Yasunaga, Akitomo Nakaya, Tomoki Oka, Koichiro
Koohsari, Javad
Kaczynski, Andrew T.
Hanibuchi, Tomoya
Shibata, Ai
Ishii, Kaori
Yasunaga, Akitomo
Nakaya, Tomoki
Oka, Koichiro
Abstract
Evidence about the impacts of the physical activity environment on adults’ weight in the context of Asian countries is scarce. Likewise, no study exists in Asia examining whether Walk Score®—a free online walkability tool—is related to obesity. This study aimed to examine associations between multiple physical activity environment measures and Walk Score® ratings with Japanese adults’ body mass index (BMI). Data from 1073 adults in the Healthy Built Environment in Japan study were used. In 2011, participants reported their height and weight. Environmental attributes, including population density, intersection density, density of physical activity facilities, access to public transportation, and availability of sidewalks, were calculated using Geographic Information Systems. Walk Scores® ratings were obtained from the website. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between each environmental attribute and BMI. Adjusting for covariates, all physical activity environmental attributes were negatively associated with BMI. Similarly, an increase of one standard deviation of Walk Score® was associated with a 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) of –0.49-–0.09) decrease in BMI. An activity-friendly built environment was associated with lower adults’ BMI in Japan. Investing in healthy community design may positively impact weight status in non-Western contexts
Keywords
urban design, neighbourhood, weight, Asia, active behaviour, urban form
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Book
Volume
15
Issue
4
Page Range
1-11
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open