GPS-based built environment measures associated with adult physical activity

Kwadwo A Boakye; Ofer Amram; John M Schuna Jr; Glen E Duncan; Perry Hystad

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102602

GPS-based built environment measures associated with adult physical activity

Health Place. 2021 Jul:70:102602. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102602. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Authors

Kwadwo A Boakye¹, Ofer Amram², John M Schuna Jr³, Glen E Duncan⁴, Perry Hystad⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. Electronic address: boakyek@oregonstate.edu.
² Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA. Electronic address: ofer.amram@wsu.edu.
³ School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. Electronic address: John.Schuna@oregonstate.edu.
⁴ Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, USA. Electronic address: glen.duncan@wsu.edu.
⁵ School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. Electronic address: Perry.Hystad@oregonstate.edu.

Abstract

Studies often rely on home locations to access built environment (BE) influences on physical activity (PA). We use GPS and accelerometer data collected for 288 individuals over a two-week period to examine eight GPS-derived BE characteristics and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light-to-moderate-vigorous PA (LMVPA). NDVI, parks, blue space, pedestrian-orientated intersections, and population density were associated with increased odds of LMVPA and MVPA, while traffic air pollution and noise were associated with decreased odds of LMVPA and MVPA. Associations varied by population density and when accounting for multiple BE measures. These findings provide further information on where individuals choose to be physically active.

Keywords: Accelerometer; Adult; Built environment; GPS; Physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Accelerometry
Adult
Built Environment*
Environment Design
Exercise
Geographic Information Systems
Humans
Population Density
Residence Characteristics*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding