Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 4/2013

01-08-2013 | Review

Objectively measured walkability and active transport and weight-related outcomes in adults: a systematic review

Authors: Gerlinde Grasser, Delfien Van Dyck, Sylvia Titze, Willibald Stronegger

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate which GIS-based measures of walkability (density, land-use mix, connectivity and walkability indexes) in urban and suburban neighbourhoods are used in research and which of them are consistently associated with walking and cycling for transport, overall active transportation and weight-related measures in adults.

Methods

A systematic review of English publications using PubMed, Science Direct, Active Living Research Literature Database, the Transportation Research Information Service and reference lists was conducted. The search terms utilised were synonyms for GIS in combination with synonyms for the outcomes.

Results

Thirty-four publications based on 19 different studies were eligible. Walkability measures such as gross population density, intersection density and walkability indexes most consistently correlated with measures of physical activity for transport. Results on weight-related measures were inconsistent.

Conclusions

More research is needed to determine whether walkability is an appropriate measure for predicting weight-related measures and overall active transportation. As most of the consistent correlates, gross population density, intersection density and the walkability indexes have the potential to be used in planning and monitoring.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Bauman A, Bull F (2007) Environmental correlates of physical activity and walking in adults and children: a review of reviews. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, London Bauman A, Bull F (2007) Environmental correlates of physical activity and walking in adults and children: a review of reviews. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, London
go back to reference Bodea TD, Garrow LA, Meyer MD, Ross CL (2008) Explaining obesity with urban form: a cautionary tale. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 35:179–199 Bodea TD, Garrow LA, Meyer MD, Ross CL (2008) Explaining obesity with urban form: a cautionary tale. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 35:179–199
go back to reference Boer R, Zheng Y, Overton A, Ridgeway GK, Cohen DA (2007) Neighborhood design and walking trips in ten US metropolitan areas. Am J Prev Med 32:298–304PubMedCrossRef Boer R, Zheng Y, Overton A, Ridgeway GK, Cohen DA (2007) Neighborhood design and walking trips in ten US metropolitan areas. Am J Prev Med 32:298–304PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Brown BB, Yamada I, Smith KR, Zick CD, Kowaleski-Jones L, Fan JX (2009) Mixed land use and walkability: variations in land use measures and relationships with BMI, overweight, and obesity. Health Place 15:1130–1141PubMedCrossRef Brown BB, Yamada I, Smith KR, Zick CD, Kowaleski-Jones L, Fan JX (2009) Mixed land use and walkability: variations in land use measures and relationships with BMI, overweight, and obesity. Health Place 15:1130–1141PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Brownson RC, Hoehner CM, Day K, Forsyth A, Sallis JF (2009) Measuring the built environment for physical activity: state of the science. Am J Prev Med 36(4 Suppl):S99–S123PubMedCrossRef Brownson RC, Hoehner CM, Day K, Forsyth A, Sallis JF (2009) Measuring the built environment for physical activity: state of the science. Am J Prev Med 36(4 Suppl):S99–S123PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Chatman DG (2009) Residential choice, the built environment, and nonwork travel: evidence using new data and methods. Environ Plan A 41(5):1072–1089CrossRef Chatman DG (2009) Residential choice, the built environment, and nonwork travel: evidence using new data and methods. Environ Plan A 41(5):1072–1089CrossRef
go back to reference Ewing R, Cervero R (2010) Travel and the built environment. J Am Plann Assoc 76(3):265–294CrossRef Ewing R, Cervero R (2010) Travel and the built environment. J Am Plann Assoc 76(3):265–294CrossRef
go back to reference Forsyth A, D’Sousa E, Koepp J, Oakes JM, Schmitz KH, Zimmerman J, Rodriguez D, Song Y (2006) Environment and physical activity. GIS Protocols Version 4.0. University of Minnesota, Metropolitan Design Center Forsyth A, D’Sousa E, Koepp J, Oakes JM, Schmitz KH, Zimmerman J, Rodriguez D, Song Y (2006) Environment and physical activity. GIS Protocols Version 4.0. University of Minnesota, Metropolitan Design Center
go back to reference Forsyth A, Oakes JM, Lee B, Schmitz KH (2009) The built environment, walking, and physical activity: is the environment more important to some people than others? Transp Res Part D Transp Environ 14:42–49CrossRef Forsyth A, Oakes JM, Lee B, Schmitz KH (2009) The built environment, walking, and physical activity: is the environment more important to some people than others? Transp Res Part D Transp Environ 14:42–49CrossRef
go back to reference Frank L, Engelke P, Schmid T (2003) Health and community design. The impact of the built environment on physical activity. Island Press, Washington Frank L, Engelke P, Schmid T (2003) Health and community design. The impact of the built environment on physical activity. Island Press, Washington
go back to reference Frank LD, Andresen MA, Schmid TL (2004) Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. Am J Prev Med 27:87–96PubMedCrossRef Frank LD, Andresen MA, Schmid TL (2004) Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. Am J Prev Med 27:87–96PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Frank LD, Sallis JF, Conway TL, Chapman JE, Saelens BE, Bachman W (2006) Many pathways from land use to health: associations between neighborhood walkability and active transportation, body mass index, and air quality. J Am Plann Assoc 72:75–87CrossRef Frank LD, Sallis JF, Conway TL, Chapman JE, Saelens BE, Bachman W (2006) Many pathways from land use to health: associations between neighborhood walkability and active transportation, body mass index, and air quality. J Am Plann Assoc 72:75–87CrossRef
go back to reference Frank LD, Kerr J, Sallis JF, Miles R, Chapman JE (2008) A hierarchy of sociodemographic and environmental correlates of walking and obesity. Prev Med 47:172–178PubMedCrossRef Frank LD, Kerr J, Sallis JF, Miles R, Chapman JE (2008) A hierarchy of sociodemographic and environmental correlates of walking and obesity. Prev Med 47:172–178PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Frank LD, Kerr J, Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Glanz K, Chapman JE (2009a) Food outlet visits, physical activity and body weight: variations by gender and race-ethnicity. Br J Sports Med 43:124–131PubMedCrossRef Frank LD, Kerr J, Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Glanz K, Chapman JE (2009a) Food outlet visits, physical activity and body weight: variations by gender and race-ethnicity. Br J Sports Med 43:124–131PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Frank LD, Sallis JF, Saelens BE, Leary L, Cain K, Conway TL, Hess PM (2009b) The development of a walkability index: application to the neighborhood quality of life study. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.058701 Frank LD, Sallis JF, Saelens BE, Leary L, Cain K, Conway TL, Hess PM (2009b) The development of a walkability index: application to the neighborhood quality of life study. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.​1136/​bjsm.​2009.​058701
go back to reference Frumkin H, Frank L, Jackson R (2004) Urban sprawl and public health. Island Press, Washington Frumkin H, Frank L, Jackson R (2004) Urban sprawl and public health. Island Press, Washington
go back to reference Giles-Corti B, Timperio A, Bull F, Pikora T (2005) Understanding physical activity environmental correlates: increased specificity for ecological models. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 33(4):175–181PubMedCrossRef Giles-Corti B, Timperio A, Bull F, Pikora T (2005) Understanding physical activity environmental correlates: increased specificity for ecological models. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 33(4):175–181PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Huang L, Stinchcomb DG, Pickle LW, Dill J, Berrigan D (2009) Identifying clusters of active transportation using spatial scan statistics. Am J Prev Med 37:157–166PubMedCrossRef Huang L, Stinchcomb DG, Pickle LW, Dill J, Berrigan D (2009) Identifying clusters of active transportation using spatial scan statistics. Am J Prev Med 37:157–166PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Kitamura R, Mokhtarian PL, Laidet L (1997) A micro-analysis of land use and travel in five neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transportation 24:125–158CrossRef Kitamura R, Mokhtarian PL, Laidet L (1997) A micro-analysis of land use and travel in five neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transportation 24:125–158CrossRef
go back to reference Lee C, Moudon AV (2006) Correlates of walking for transportation or recreation purposes. J Phys Act Health 3:S77–S98 Lee C, Moudon AV (2006) Correlates of walking for transportation or recreation purposes. J Phys Act Health 3:S77–S98
go back to reference Li F, Harmer PA, Cardinal BJ, Bosworth M, Acock A, Johnson-Shelton D, Moore JM (2008) Built enviornment, adiposity, and physical activity in adults aged 50–75. Am J Prev Med 35:38–46PubMedCrossRef Li F, Harmer PA, Cardinal BJ, Bosworth M, Acock A, Johnson-Shelton D, Moore JM (2008) Built enviornment, adiposity, and physical activity in adults aged 50–75. Am J Prev Med 35:38–46PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Li F, Harmer PA, Cardinal BJ, Bosworth M, Johnson-Shelton D, Moore JM, Acock A, Vongjaturapat N (2009) Built environment and 1 year change in weight and waist circumference in middle-aged and older adults. J Epidemiol 196(4):401–408 Li F, Harmer PA, Cardinal BJ, Bosworth M, Johnson-Shelton D, Moore JM, Acock A, Vongjaturapat N (2009) Built environment and 1 year change in weight and waist circumference in middle-aged and older adults. J Epidemiol 196(4):401–408
go back to reference Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, Clarke M, Devereaux PJ, Kleijnen J, Moher D (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. J Clin Epidemiol 62(10):e1–e34PubMedCrossRef Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, Clarke M, Devereaux PJ, Kleijnen J, Moher D (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. J Clin Epidemiol 62(10):e1–e34PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference McGinn AP, Evenson KR, Herring AH, Huston SL, Rodriguez DA (2007) Exploring associations between physical activity and perceived and objective measures of the built environment. J Urb Health 84(2):162–184. doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9136-4 CrossRef McGinn AP, Evenson KR, Herring AH, Huston SL, Rodriguez DA (2007) Exploring associations between physical activity and perceived and objective measures of the built environment. J Urb Health 84(2):162–184. doi:10.​1007/​s11524-006-9136-4 CrossRef
go back to reference Oakes JM, Forsyth A, Schmitz KH (2007) The effects of neighborhood density and street connectivity on walking behavior: the Twin Cities walking study. Epidemiol Perspect Innov 4:16PubMedCrossRef Oakes JM, Forsyth A, Schmitz KH (2007) The effects of neighborhood density and street connectivity on walking behavior: the Twin Cities walking study. Epidemiol Perspect Innov 4:16PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Owen N, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Sugiyama T, Leslie E, Cerin E, Van Dyck D, Bauman A (2010) Bicycle use for transport in an Australian and a Belgian city: associations with built-environment attributes. J Urb Health 87(2):189–198. doi:10.1007/s11524-009-9424-x CrossRef Owen N, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Sugiyama T, Leslie E, Cerin E, Van Dyck D, Bauman A (2010) Bicycle use for transport in an Australian and a Belgian city: associations with built-environment attributes. J Urb Health 87(2):189–198. doi:10.​1007/​s11524-009-9424-x CrossRef
go back to reference Petticrew M, Roberts H (2008) Systematic reviews in the social science: a practical guide. Blackwell, Malden Petticrew M, Roberts H (2008) Systematic reviews in the social science: a practical guide. Blackwell, Malden
go back to reference Rundle A, Diez Roux AV, Freeman L, Miller D, Neckerman K, Weiss CC (2007) The urban built environment and obesity in New York City: a multilevel analysis. Am J Health Promot 21:326–334PubMedCrossRef Rundle A, Diez Roux AV, Freeman L, Miller D, Neckerman K, Weiss CC (2007) The urban built environment and obesity in New York City: a multilevel analysis. Am J Health Promot 21:326–334PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Rundle A, Neckerman KM, Freeman L, Lovasi GS, Purciel M, Quinn J, Richards C, Sircar N, Weiss C (2009) Neighborhood food environment and walkability predict obesity in New York City. Environ Health Perspect 117(3):442–447PubMed Rundle A, Neckerman KM, Freeman L, Lovasi GS, Purciel M, Quinn J, Richards C, Sircar N, Weiss C (2009) Neighborhood food environment and walkability predict obesity in New York City. Environ Health Perspect 117(3):442–447PubMed
go back to reference Saelens BE, Handy SL (2008) Built environment correlates of walking: a review. Med Sport Sci 40(7 Suppl):S550–S566CrossRef Saelens BE, Handy SL (2008) Built environment correlates of walking: a review. Med Sport Sci 40(7 Suppl):S550–S566CrossRef
go back to reference Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Black JB, Chen D (2003a) Neighborhood-based differences in physical activity: an environment scale evaluation. Am J Public Health 93(9):1552–1558PubMedCrossRef Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Black JB, Chen D (2003a) Neighborhood-based differences in physical activity: an environment scale evaluation. Am J Public Health 93(9):1552–1558PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Frank LD (2003b) Environmental correlates of walking and cycling: findings from the transportation, urban design, and planning literature. Ann Behav Med 25(2):80–91PubMedCrossRef Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Frank LD (2003b) Environmental correlates of walking and cycling: findings from the transportation, urban design, and planning literature. Ann Behav Med 25(2):80–91PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Sallis JF, Frank LD, Saelens BE, Kraft MK (2004) Active transportation and physical activity: opportunities for collaboration on transportation and public health research. Transp Res Part A 38:249–268. doi:10.1016/j.tra.2003.11.003 Sallis JF, Frank LD, Saelens BE, Kraft MK (2004) Active transportation and physical activity: opportunities for collaboration on transportation and public health research. Transp Res Part A 38:249–268. doi:10.​1016/​j.​tra.​2003.​11.​003
go back to reference Scott MM, Dubowitz T, Cohen DA (2009) Regional differences in walking frequency and BMI: what role does the built environment play for Blacks and Whites? Health Place 15:897–902CrossRef Scott MM, Dubowitz T, Cohen DA (2009) Regional differences in walking frequency and BMI: what role does the built environment play for Blacks and Whites? Health Place 15:897–902CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Objectively measured walkability and active transport and weight-related outcomes in adults: a systematic review
Authors
Gerlinde Grasser
Delfien Van Dyck
Sylvia Titze
Willibald Stronegger
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0435-0

Other articles of this Issue 4/2013

International Journal of Public Health 4/2013 Go to the issue