title: Activity-Friendly Built Environment Attributes and Adult Adiposity.
abstract: Physically-active and sedentary behaviors are determinants of adult weight gain and are associated with built-environment attributes. We reviewed recent evidence on built-environment attributes with adult adiposity. Of 41 relevant papers identified, 34 reported cross-sectional, six recorded prospective findings, and one included both cross-sectional and prospective designs. In 15 cross-sectional examinations of composite built environment indices (walkability; composite other), seven identified significant positive relationships in the expected direction; of 42 instances examining particular walkability elements (density, connectivity, land use mix), 13 were positive. Of 44 instances examining proximity of utilitarian and recreational destinations, there were 13 positive associations; and, of 41 instances examining pedestrian-environment attributes, 12 were positive. In the seven prospective studies, 20 sets of relationships were identified - nine were significant and in the expected direction. Evidence on built environment/adiposity relationships remains modest and could be strengthened through improvements in measurement methods and with further evidence from prospective studies.
authors.affiliation: Social Epidemiology and Evaluation Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research & School of Population Health, University of South Australia, Playford Building P4-18E, City East Campus, Adelaide, 5001, Australia. takemi.sugiyama@unisa.edu.au.|Behavioural Epidemiology Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia. takemi.sugiyama@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Takemi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Epidemiology Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia. Javad.Koohsari@bakeridi.edu.au.|McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Javad.Koohsari@bakeridi.edu.au.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Koohsari
authors.affiliation: McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. suzanne.mavoa@unimelb.edu.au.|SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, School of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. suzanne.mavoa@unimelb.edu.au.|Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, 3010, Australia. suzanne.mavoa@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mavoa
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Epidemiology Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia. neville.owen@bakeridi.edu.au.|Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, 3010, Australia. neville.owen@bakeridi.edu.au.|School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. neville.owen@bakeridi.edu.au.|Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. neville.owen@bakeridi.edu.au.
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Owen
keywords: Adult adiposity; Aesthetics; Body mass index; Built environment; Cross-sectional study; Destinations; Land use mix; Parks; Pedestrian infrastructure; Physical activity; Population density; Prospective study; Recreational facilities; Safety; Sedentary behavior; Sitting; Street connectivity; Urban design; Waist circumference; Walkability; Walking