Systematic literature review of built environment effects on physical activity and active transport – an update and new findings on health equity

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Review

Adrian Field¹  Alexandra MacMillan²  Hamish Mackie³  Karen Witten⁴  Melody Smith⁵  Alistair Woodward⁶  Jamie Hosking⁶  Peter Baas⁷ 

[1] Dovetail Consulting Ltd, Box 78-146, Grey Lynn, 1245, Auckland, PO, New Zealand;Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Box 56, 9054, Dunedin, PO, New Zealand;Mackie Consulting Limited, Box 106525, 1143, Auckland, PO, New Zealand;SHORE and Whāriki Research Centre, School of Public Health, Massey University, Box 6137, Wellesley Street, Auckland, PO, New Zealand;School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, 1142, Auckland, New Zealand;School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, 1142, Auckland, New Zealand;Transport Engineering Research New Zealand Limited, Box 11029, 1542, Auckland, PO, New Zealand;

关键词: Walking;    Cycling;    Health equality;    Urban form;    Causation;    Playgrounds;    Walkability;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-017-0613-9

 received in 2017-05-25, accepted in 2017-11-06,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEvidence is mounting to suggest a causal relationship between the built environment and people’s physical activity behaviours, particularly active transport. The evidence base has been hindered to date by restricted consideration of cost and economic factors associated with built environment interventions, investigation of socioeconomic or ethnic differences in intervention effects, and an inability to isolate the effect of the built environment from other intervention types. The aims of this systematic review were to identify which environmental interventions increase physical activity in residents at the local level, and to build on the evidence base by considering intervention cost, and the differential effects of interventions by ethnicity and socioeconomic status.MethodsA systematic database search was conducted in June 2015. Articles were eligible if they reported a quantitative empirical study (natural experiment or a prospective, retrospective, experimental, or longitudinal research) investigating the relationship between objectively measured built environment feature(s) and physical activity and/or travel behaviours in children or adults. Quality assessment was conducted and data on intervention cost and whether the effect of the built environment differed by ethnicity or socioeconomic status were extracted.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included in the review. Findings showed a positive effect of walkability components, provision of quality parks and playgrounds, and installation of or improvements in active transport infrastructure on active transport, physical activity, and visits or use of settings. There was some indication that infrastructure improvements may predominantly benefit socioeconomically advantaged groups. Studies were commonly limited by selection bias and insufficient controlling for confounders. Heterogeneity in study design and reporting limited comparability across studies or any clear conclusions to be made regarding intervention cost.ConclusionsImproving neighbourhood walkability, quality of parks and playgrounds, and providing adequate active transport infrastructure is likely to generate positive impacts on activity in children and adults. The possibility that the benefits of infrastructure improvements may be inequitably distributed requires further investigation. Opportunities to improve the quality of evidence exist, including strategies to improve response rates and representativeness, use of valid and reliable measurement tools, cost-benefit analyses, and adequate controlling for confounders.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017