title: Walkability of local communities: using geographic information systems to objectively assess relevant environmental attributes.
abstract: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to objectively measure features of the built environment that may influence adults' physical activity, which is an important determinant of chronic disease. We describe how a previously developed index of walkability was operationalised in an Australian context, using available spatial data. The index was used to generate a stratified sampling frame for the selection of households from 32 communities for the PLACE (Physical Activity in Localities and Community Environments) study. GIS data have the potential to be used to construct measures of environmental attributes and to develop indices of walkability for cities, regions or local communities.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Australia. evie.leslie@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coffee
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hugo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D004779:Environment Design; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011633:Public Facilities; D011640:Public Policy; D012107:Research Design; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification*; D012944:Social Support; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology