Association between Active Transportation and Public Transport with an Objectively Measured Meeting of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Daily Steps Guidelines in Adults by Sex from Eight Latin American Countries.

Georgina Gómez,Gérson Ferrari ,Juan Guzmán-Habinger,Diego Herreros-Irarrázabal,Martha Cecilia Yépez García ,Sandra Mahecha Matsudo,Mauro Fisberg,Clemens Drenowatz,Claudio Farías‐Valenzuela ,Lilia Yadira Cortés ,Adilson Marques,Ana Carolina Barco Leme ,Attilio Rigotti,Irina Kovalskys,Rossina G Pareja ,Marianella Herrera-Cuenca

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111553

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the associations between active transportation and public transport and the objectively measured meeting of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps per day guidelines in adults by sex from eight Latin American countries. As part of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS), data were collected from 2524 participants aged 18–65 years. MVPA and steps per day were evaluated using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers. The mode of transportation, its frequency and duration were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The average time dedicated to active transportation was 12.8 min/day in men (IQR: 2.8–30.0) and 12.9 min/day in women (IQR: 4.3–25.7). A logistic regression analysis was conducted, showing that active transportation (≥10 min) was associated with higher odds of meeting MVPA guidelines (men: OR: 2.01; 95%CI: 1.58–2.54; women: OR: 1.57; 95%CI: 1.25–1.96). These results show a greater association when considering active transportation plus public transport (men: OR: 2.98; 95%CI: 2.31–3.91; women: OR: 1.82; 95%CI: 1.45–2.29). Active transportation plus public transport was positively associated with meeting steps per day guidelines only in men (OR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.15–2.10). This study supports the suggestion that active transportation plus public transport is significantly associated with meeting the MVPA and daily steps recommendations.

Highlights

It is known that the current physical activity levels are the lowest in history [1]
The present study examined the associations between active transportation and public transport and meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps per day guidelines among adults by sex from eight Latin American countries
The results indicate that active transportation (≥10 min) plus public transport is associated with a greater likelihood of meeting the MVPA and steps per day guidelines compared to participants participating only in active transportation

Summary

Introduction

It is known that the current physical activity levels are the lowest in history [1]. This decline in physical activity is a fundamental part of the high prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases [1]. Walking a total of 7000 steps per day is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality [4]. Another variable which impacted the development of physical activity levels is private transport, which contributed to physical inactivity and the reduction in the number of steps per day taken by the population. Active transportation (i.e., walking or cycling) has been suggested as an efficient and economical way to increase physical activity levels. This type of transport has been associated with several benefits. It has been associated with positive changes in total physical activity [5] and multiple health benefits [6], mainly associated with a decrease in cardiovascular risk [7]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion