Higher walkability associated with increased physical activity and reduced obesity among United States adults
Authors' conclusion
The findings highlight the importance of investing in the built environment to improve perceptions of walkability and promote PA and healthy weight, as well as developing interventions to target racial and ethnic disparities in these outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- US adults, 2020 National Health Interview Survey
- Participants
- 31,568 adults
- Exposure
- High vs low perceived neighbourhood walkability
- Outcome
- Sufficient PA (150+ min/wk) and obesity
Methodological details2020 National Health Interview Survey, multivariable regression, mediation analysis
- 2020 National Health Interview Survey
- Multivariable regression
- Mediation analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
High walkability vs Low walkabilityOdds ratio (95% CI)
Sufficient PA
1.48(1.30–1.69)
Obesity
0.76(0.66–0.87)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mediation by physical activity (PA) of walkability–BMI association
- Proportion mediated by PA (partial mediation)
- 23.4%; 95% CI: 14.6%-62.7%
Effect modification by race and ethnicity of walkability–BMI association
- Interaction by race and ethnicity
- F[5,567] = 2.75; p = 0.018
- Among White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults, BMI decreased with increasing walkability
- Among American Indian/Alaska Native and multiracial/other adults, BMI increased with increasing walkability
Original publication
Higher walkability associated with increased physical activity and reduced obesity among United States adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 12 December 2022. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →