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Physical Activity Environment and Japanese Adults’ Body Mass Index

Author

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  • Mohammad Javad Koohsari

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 359-1192, Japan
    Behavioural Epidemiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne 3000, Australia)

  • Andrew T. Kaczynski

    (Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29229, USA
    Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29229, USA)

  • Tomoya Hanibuchi

    (School of International Liberal Studies, Chukyo University, Nagoya 466-8666, Japan)

  • Ai Shibata

    (Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8574, Japan)

  • Kaori Ishii

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 359-1192, Japan)

  • Akitomo Yasunaga

    (Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Bunka Gakuen University, Tokyo 151-8523, Japan)

  • Tomoki Nakaya

    (Department of Geography and Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan)

  • Koichiro Oka

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 359-1192, Japan)

Abstract

Evidence about the impacts of the physical activity environment on adults’ weight in the context of Asian countries is scarce. Likewise, no study exists in Asia examining whether Walk Score ® —a free online walkability tool—is related to obesity. This study aimed to examine associations between multiple physical activity environment measures and Walk Score ® ratings with Japanese adults’ body mass index (BMI). Data from 1073 adults in the Healthy Built Environment in Japan study were used. In 2011, participants reported their height and weight. Environmental attributes, including population density, intersection density, density of physical activity facilities, access to public transportation, and availability of sidewalks, were calculated using Geographic Information Systems. Walk Scores ® ratings were obtained from the website. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between each environmental attribute and BMI. Adjusting for covariates, all physical activity environmental attributes were negatively associated with BMI. Similarly, an increase of one standard deviation of Walk Score ® was associated with a 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) of −0.49–−0.09) decrease in BMI. An activity-friendly built environment was associated with lower adults’ BMI in Japan. Investing in healthy community design may positively impact weight status in non-Western contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Javad Koohsari & Andrew T. Kaczynski & Tomoya Hanibuchi & Ai Shibata & Kaori Ishii & Akitomo Yasunaga & Tomoki Nakaya & Koichiro Oka, 2018. "Physical Activity Environment and Japanese Adults’ Body Mass Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:596-:d:138086
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tomoya Hanibuchi & Tomoki Nakaya & Mayuko Yonejima & Kaori Honjo, 2015. "Perceived and Objective Measures of Neighborhood Walkability and Physical Activity among Adults in Japan: A Multilevel Analysis of a Nationally Representative Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Aggarwal, A. & Cook, A.J. & Jiao, J. & Seguin, R.A. & Moudon, A.V. & Hurvitz, P.M. & Drewnowski, A., 2014. "Access to supermarkets and fruit and vegetable consumption," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(5), pages 917-923.
    3. Hirsch, J.A. & Roux, A.V.D. & Moore, K.A. & Evenson, K.R. & Rodriguez, D.A., 2014. "Change in walking and body mass index following residential relocation: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(3), pages 49-56.
    4. Casagrande, S.S. & Gittelsohn, J. & Zonderman, A.B. & Evans, M.K. & Gary-Webb, T.L., 2011. "Association of walkability with obesity in Baltimore City, Maryland," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 318-324.
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    1. Mi Namgung & B. Elizabeth Mercado Gonzalez & Seungwoo Park, 2019. "The Role of Built Environment on Health of Older Adults in Korea: Obesity and Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-13, September.

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