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Do Natural Experiments of Changes in Neighborhood Built Environment Impact Physical Activity and Diet? A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Freya MacMillan

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia
    Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Emma S. George

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Xiaoqi Feng

    (Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Dafna Merom

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Andrew Bennie

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Amelia Cook

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Taren Sanders

    (Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia)

  • Genevieve Dwyer

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Bonnie Pang

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Justin M. Guagliano

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Gregory S. Kolt

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Thomas Astell-Burt

    (Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

Abstract

Physical activity and diet are major modifiable risk factors for chronic disease and have been shown to be associated with neighborhood built environment. Systematic review evidence from longitudinal studies on the impact of changing the built environment on physical activity and diet is currently lacking. A systematic review of natural experiments of neighborhood built environment was conducted. The aims of this systematic review were to summarize study characteristics, study quality, and impact of changes in neighborhood built environment on physical activity and diet outcomes among residents. Natural experiments of neighborhood built environment change, exploring longitudinal impacts on physical activity and/or diet in residents, were included. From five electronic databases, 2084 references were identified. A narrative synthesis was conducted, considering results in relation to study quality. Nineteen papers, reporting on 15 different exposures met inclusion criteria. Four studies included a comparison group and 11 were pre-post/longitudinal studies without a comparison group. Studies reported on the impact of redeveloping or introducing cycle and/or walking trails ( n = 5), rail stops/lines ( n = 4), supermarkets and farmers’ markets ( n = 4) and park and green space ( n = 2). Eight/15 studies reported at least one beneficial change in physical activity, diet or another associated health outcome. Due to limitations in study design and reporting, as well as the wide array of outcome measures reported, drawing conclusions to inform policy was challenging. Future research should consider a consistent approach to measure the same outcomes (e.g., using measurement methods that collect comparable physical activity and diet outcome data), to allow for pooled analyses. Additionally, including comparison groups wherever possible and ensuring high quality reporting is essential.

Suggested Citation

  • Freya MacMillan & Emma S. George & Xiaoqi Feng & Dafna Merom & Andrew Bennie & Amelia Cook & Taren Sanders & Genevieve Dwyer & Bonnie Pang & Justin M. Guagliano & Gregory S. Kolt & Thomas Astell-Burt, 2018. "Do Natural Experiments of Changes in Neighborhood Built Environment Impact Physical Activity and Diet? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:217-:d:128957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Glen E. Duncan & Feiyang Sun & Ally R. Avery & Philip M. Hurvitz & Anne Vernez Moudon & Siny Tsang & Bethany D. Williams, 2023. "Cross-Sectional Study of Location-Based Built Environments, Physical Activity, Dietary Intake, and Body Mass Index in Adult Twins," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Hania Rahimi-Ardabili & Thomas Astell-Burt & Phi-Yen Nguyen & Juan Zhang & Yu Jiang & Guang-Hui Dong & Xiaoqi Feng, 2021. "Green Space and Health in Mainland China: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Ting Zhang & Bo Huang & Hung Wong & Samuel Yeung-shan Wong & Roger Yat-Nork Chung, 2022. "Public Rental Housing and Obesogenic Behaviors among Adults in Hong Kong: Mediator Role of Food and Physical Activity Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Phi-Yen Nguyen & Thomas Astell-Burt & Hania Rahimi-Ardabili & Xiaoqi Feng, 2021. "Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-38, October.

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