Built Environment And Physical Activity In Urban Delhi: The Carrs-Gis Study

Abstract

Objective Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Among South Asians the onset is at a much younger age and involves all sections of the society. A major risk factor for CMD is inadequate physical activity (PA). 'Built environment' plays an important role in influencing participation in PA. However, the relationship between neighbourhood built environment and PA has been sparsely investigated in Low and Middle Incomes Countries. The primary objective of the present study was to objectively assess and study the relationship between Physical activity and Built environment in Urban Delhi. Method The Geographical Information System component of the Centre for Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction for South Asia Surveillance study (CARRS-GIS study) carried out in 3 major South Asian cities; New Delhi, Chennai and Karachi aims to study the relationship between built environment, CMD and their risk factors in South Asia. We located all study households; neighbourhood built environment features and performed GIS analysis of participant data overlaid on geographic data. PA data was measured using a culturally adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and transformed to Metabolic Equivalent Task scores. Cluster analysis was carried out using the hotspot tool in ArcGIS. Results As part of the study we geocoded 8423 households from 350 clusters. Preliminary analyses from Delhi show a mixed picture with varying levels of PA in study neighbourhoods. Cluster analysis revealed statistically significant hot and cold spots. High physical activity clusters (hotspots) seemed to have better access to green and open spaces. PA Coldspots were found to be hotspots of higher than average Systolic Blood Pressure and Fasting Blood Glucose levels. Conclusion Exploratory spatial analysis shows that physical activity is related to neighbourhood built environment and other CMD risk factors in urban Delhi.