Abstract
Physically-active and sedentary behaviors are determinants of adult weight gain and are associated with built-environment attributes. We reviewed recent evidence on built-environment attributes with adult adiposity. Of 41 relevant papers identified, 34 reported cross-sectional, six recorded prospective findings, and one included both cross-sectional and prospective designs. In 15 cross-sectional examinations of composite built environment indices (walkability; composite other), seven identified significant positive relationships in the expected direction; of 42 instances examining particular walkability elements (density, connectivity, land use mix), 13 were positive. Of 44 instances examining proximity of utilitarian and recreational destinations, there were 13 positive associations; and, of 41 instances examining pedestrian-environment attributes, 12 were positive. In the seven prospective studies, 20 sets of relationships were identified – nine were significant and in the expected direction. Evidence on built environment/adiposity relationships remains modest and could be strengthened through improvements in measurement methods and with further evidence from prospective studies.
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Acknowledgments
Koohsari is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Program Grant [#569940] and by the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program. Owen is supported by a NHMRC Program Grant [#569940], a Senior Principal Research Fellowship [NHMRC #1003960] and the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program. Mavoa is supported by Community Indicators Victoria, which is funded by VicHealth. Sugiyama is supported by the NHMRC (PhD scholarship within Centre of Research Excellence) and the National Institute of Health (research subcontract from UC San Diego).
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Conflict of Interest
Takemi Sugiyama is employed by the University of South Australia, and he has received honoraria from the University of Sydney for a PhD Thesis review.
Mohammad Javad Koohsari is employed by Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes.
Suzanne Mavoa is employed by the University of Melbourne and Massey University.
Neville Owen is employed by Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes; he has received book royalties from Sage publishers; he has received travel/accommodations expenses covered or reimbursed from University of British Colombia; American Institute for Cancer Research.
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Takemi Sugiyama and Mohammad Javad Koohsari are joint lead authors.
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Sugiyama, T., Koohsari, M.J., Mavoa, S. et al. Activity-Friendly Built Environment Attributes and Adult Adiposity. Curr Obes Rep 3, 183–198 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-014-0096-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-014-0096-9
Keywords
- Body mass index
- Waist circumference
- Built environment
- Walkability
- Pedestrian infrastructure
- Aesthetics
- Safety
- Recreational facilities
- Parks
- Population density
- Destinations
- Street connectivity
- Land use mix
- Urban design
- Physical activity
- Walking
- Sedentary behavior
- Sitting
- Cross-sectional study
- Prospective study
- Adult adiposity