Inverse associations between cycling to work, public transport, and overweight and obesity: findings from a population based study in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between various modes of transport to work and overweight and obesity, in men and women.


METHODS
The study was conducted using data from a representative sample of 6810 respondents who reported being in the workforce, extracted from the 2003 New South Wales Adult Health Survey, Australia. Logistic regression modeling adjusted for potential confounders.


RESULTS
Men who cycled to work were significantly less likely to be overweight and obese (39.8%) compared with those driving to work (60.8%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31-0.76) and much less likely to be obese (5.4%) with an adjusted odds ratio 0.34 (95% CI: 0.13-0.87). Men who used public transport to work were also significantly less likely to be overweight and obese (44.6%) with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.53-0.81). However, these inverse relationships were not found in women.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support recommendations to cycle to work or use public transport as a strategy to maintain healthy weight for men. Although healthy weight cannot be causally attributed to cycling and use of public transport in this study, the link is plausible, and increased cycling and use of public transport would have positive benefits for the environment and health in any case.
Wen
Li Ming
LM
Health Promotion Service, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Level 9, King George V Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. lmwen@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Rissel
Chris
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014186:Transportation; D017132:Workplace