Correlates of walking for transportation and use of public transportation among adults in St Louis, Missouri, 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Attributes of the built environment can influence active transportation, including use of public transportation. However, the relationship between perceptions of the built environment and use of public transportation deserves further attention. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the relationship between personal characteristics and public transportation use with meeting national recommendations for moderate physical activity through walking for transportation and 2) to examine associations between personal and perceived environmental factors and frequency of public transportation use. METHODS: In 2012, we administered a mail-based survey to 772 adults in St Louis, Missouri, to assess perceptions of the built environment, physical activity, and transportation behaviors. The abbreviated International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess walking for transportation and use of public transportation. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used to examine perceptions of the built environment. Associations were assessed by using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: People who used public transportation at least once in the previous week were more likely to meet moderate physical activity recommendations by walking for transportation. Age and employment were significantly associated with public transportation use. Perceptions of high traffic speed and high crime were negatively associated with public transportation use. CONCLUSION: Our results were consistent with previous research suggesting that public transportation use is related to walking for transportation. More importantly, our study suggests that perceptions of traffic speed and crime are related to frequency of public transportation use. Future interventions to encourage public transportation use should consider policy and planning decisions that reduce traffic speed and improve safety.

Perception of environmental obstacles to commuting physical activity in Brazilian elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between perceived environmental attributes and commuting physical activity (PA) in a population-based sample of elderly persons. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was performed in 2009/2010, including 1652 elderly individuals aged 60 years or greater living in Florianopolis-SC, Brazil. Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Perceived environmental variables were assessed using a modified version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Multinomial logistic regression was used and a 5% significance level was taken into account. RESULTS: 36.8% and 35.2% of the subjects were inactive or did not reach 150 min/week on transport-related physical activity, respectively. Physical and social environmental characteristics, such as the absence of parks and athletic courts (OR(Inactive):1.75; 95% CI:1.22-2.51); presence of garbage (OR(Low-active):1.55; 1.04-2.30); street lighting (OR(Low-active):2.51; 95% CI:1.36-4.64; OR(Low-active):2.43; 95% CI:1.43-4.15); not walking with the dog (OR(Inactive): 3.08; 95% CI:1.42-6.69) and don't have a dog (OR(Inactive):2.45; 95% CI:1.06-5.66) were associated with lower levels of commuting PA. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that poor physical and social environmental characteristics were related to lower commuting. Building public facilities and promoting physical activity in groups are likely to impact in active commuting among the elderly in Brazil.