Neighborhood walkability moderates the association between low back pain and physical activity: A co-twin control
J R Zadro1, D Shirley1, M B Pinheiro1
1Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Preventive Medicine
|March 22, 2017
Summary
Neighborhood walkability significantly impacts physical activity (PA) for individuals with low back pain (LBP). Those with LBP in walkable areas are less likely to meet PA guidelines, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition affecting physical activity (PA) levels.
- Neighborhood characteristics, such as walkability, may influence health behaviors.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if neighborhood walkability moderates the association between LBP and PA.
- To control for genetic and shared environmental factors using a co-twin design.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 10,228 twins from the Washington State Twin Registry.
- Assessed LBP as the exposure and sufficient moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and walking as outcomes.
- Utilized Walk Score® to quantify neighborhood walkability as a moderator.
Main Results:
- Individuals with LBP were less likely to achieve sufficient MVPA in highly walkable neighborhoods (OR=0.59).
- No significant association between LBP and MVPA was found in low walkability areas (OR=1.27).
- Walkability significantly moderated the LBP-PA association (interaction p=0.013).
Conclusions:
- Neighborhood walkability plays a significant role in the relationship between LBP and PA.
- Interventions should consider environmental factors, like walkability, when promoting PA in LBP populations.
- Targeting individuals with LBP in walkable neighborhoods for PA interventions is recommended.
