Associations between the built environment, total, recreational, and transit-related physical activity

Many aspects of the built, physical environment have been shown to be associated with physical activity, but little research has focused on the unique circumstances and urban form of the suburban environment. The following analyses explore the associations between features of the built environment and components of overall physical activity, after accounting for neighborhood variability using hierarchical linear modeling.

These analyses utilized regionally-specific Geographic Information Systems data along with health measures collected from the 2007-8 Canadian Community Health Survey. Linear and logistic regression models explored the associations between measures of the built environment with leisure-time and transport-related physical activity.

Respondents living with the highest number of intersections were more likely to engage in walking or cycling for leisure (OR: 1.85 CI 95%: 1.23-2.78), and in general, those living in areas with higher residential density were more likely to engage in active modes of transportation (OR: 2.67, CI 95%: 1.34-5.34).

Further analyses are necessary to clarify the extent to which modifications to such features of the built environment may improve physical activity participation in similar suburban communities.