Association between Perceived Neighborhood Built Environment and Walking and Cycling for Transport among Inhabitants from Latin America: The ELANS Study.

Gérson Ferrari ,Irina Kovalskys,Mauro Fisberg,Viviana Guajardo,Georgina Gómez,Adilson Marques,Carlos Pires,Michael Pratt,Attilio Rigotti,Eduardo Rossato De Victo,Lilia Yadira Cortés Sanabria,André O Werneck ,Martha Cecilia Yépez García ,Ioná Zalcman Zimberg ,Marianella Herrera‐Cuenca ,Danilo Silva ,Rossina G Pareja ,Emilio Jofré Saldía ,Cristian Cofré Boladós

doi:10.3390/ijerph17186858

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with walking and cycling for transport in inhabitants from Latin American countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, which included a nationally representative sample of eight countries. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form for measure walking and cycling for transport and the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Furthermore, perceived proximity from home to public open spaces and shopping centers was assessed. Results: Perceived land use mix-access (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.16,1.50) and the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.09 1.01,1.17) were associated with higher odds of reporting any walking for transport (≥10 min/week). Perceived slow speed of traffic (1.88 1.82,1.93) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.92; 1.86,1.98) were also related to higher odds of reporting any walking for transport. The odds of reporting any cycling for transport (≥10 min/week) were higher in participants perceiving more walking/cycling facilities (1.87 1.76,1.99), and better aesthetics (1.22 1.09,1.38). Conclusions: Dissimilar perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America.

Highlights

Physical activity has benefical effects on numerous health outcomes
We found an unequal association between the neighborhood built environment characteristics and walking for transportation by country
This study showed the importance of environmental characteristics for walking and cycling for transport

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity has benefical effects on numerous health outcomes. Higher physical activity levels decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and breast cancer, as well as increasing life expectancy [1]. Active transportation (i.e. walking and cycling for travel purposes) has been recommended as a practical way of incorporating more physical activity into daily life [2] and those who engage in active transportation tend to be more active in duration and frequency than those without active transportation [3]. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 531,333 participants reported that active transportation had a significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease incidence and diabetes [4]. The urbanization change people’s behaviour and in most cases decrease the physical activity levels. Between 2001 and 2016, the prevalence of physical inactivity

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