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Green Walkability and Physical Activity in UK Biobank: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Adults in Greater London

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  • Charlotte Roscoe

    (MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
    Department of Environment and Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Landmark Center, Floor 3 West, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Charlotte Sheridan

    (MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Mariya Geneshka

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 4DD, UK)

  • Susan Hodgson

    (MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK)

  • Paolo Vineis

    (MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK)

  • John Gulliver

    (Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7LW, UK)

  • Daniela Fecht

    (MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK)

Abstract

Urban greenspace provides opportunities for outdoor exercise and may increase physical activity, with accompanying health benefits. Areas suitable for walking (walkability) are also associated with increased physical activity, but interactions with greenspace are poorly understood. We investigated associations of walkability and green walkability with physical activity in an urban adult cohort. We used cross-sectional data from Greater London UK Biobank participants ( n = 57,726) and assessed walkability along roads and footpaths within 1000 m of their residential addresses. Additionally, we assessed green walkability by integrating trees and low-lying vegetation into the walkability index. Physical activity outcomes included self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity and active transport. We assessed associations using log-linear, logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for individual- and area-level confounders. Higher green walkability was associated with favourable International Physical Activity Questionnaire responses and achievement of weekly UK government physical activity guideline recommendations. Participants living in the highest versus lowest quintile of green walkability participated in 2.41 min (95% confidence intervals: 0.22, 4.60) additional minutes of moderate-and-vigorous physical activity per day. Higher walkability and green walkability scores were also associated with choosing active transport modes such as walking and cycling. Our green walkability approach demonstrates the utility in accounting for walkability and greenspace simultaneously to understand the role of the built environment on physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Roscoe & Charlotte Sheridan & Mariya Geneshka & Susan Hodgson & Paolo Vineis & John Gulliver & Daniela Fecht, 2022. "Green Walkability and Physical Activity in UK Biobank: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Adults in Greater London," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4247-:d:785797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michelle C. Kondo & Jaime M. Fluehr & Thomas McKeon & Charles C. Branas, 2018. "Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bruno Jardim & Miguel de Castro Neto, 2022. "Walkability Indicators in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, September.

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