Aging in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income: associations with physical activity and obesity in older adults

While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health factors such as physical activity and obesity, less focus has been placed on older adults, who may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. This study evaluates the relations among objectively measured neighborhood design, mobility impairment, and physical activity and body weight in two U.S. regional samples of community dwelling older adults living in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income levels. An observational design involving two time points six months apart was employed between 2005 and 2008. U.S. Census block groups in Seattle-King County, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland-Washington DC regions were selected via geographic information systems to maximize variability in walkability and income. Participants were 719 adults ages 66 years and older who were able to complete surveys in English and walk at least 10 feet continuously. Measurements included reported walking or bicycling for errands (i.e., transport activity) and other outdoor aerobic activities measured via the CHAMPS questionnaire: accelerometry-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; reported body mass index; and reported lower extremity mobility impairment measured via the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument. Across regions, time, and neighborhood income, older adults living in more walkable neighborhoods had more transport activity and moderate-to- vigorous physical activity and lower body mass index relative to those living in less walkable neighborhoods. The most mobility-impaired adults living in more walkable neighborhoods reported transport activity levels that were similar to less mobility-impaired adults living in less walkable neighborhoods. The results add to the small literature aimed at understanding how neighborhood design may influence physical activity and related aspects of health linked with day-to-day function and independence as people age.     

Development and application of a moveability index to quantify possibilities for physical activity in the built environment of children

Several studies show that urban forms are environmental correlates of physical activity. Most of these studies used data based on questionnaires while only a few used geographic information systems (GIS) to objectively assess urban forms. Based on GIS data, we applied a kernel density method to measure urban forms and combined these measures to a moveability index to assess the opportunities for physical activity in the German intervention region of the IDEFICS study. In this proof-of-principal analysis, we linked the moveability index with physical activity data obtained from the baseline survey of the IDEFICS study. Regression analyses revealed a modest but significant impact of the built environment on the physical activity of 596 school children in the study region, supporting the potential application of the moveability index.     

Neighborhood walkability, physical activity, and walking behavior: the Swedish Neighborhood and Physical Activity (SNAP) study

More knowledge concerning the association between physical activity and objectively measured attributes of the built environment is needed. Previous studies on the association between objectively measured neighborhood walkability, physical activity, and walking have been conducted in the U.S. or Australia and research findings are available from only one country in Europe – Belgium. The first aim of this Swedish study of 2269 adults was to examine the associations between neighborhood walkability and walking for active transportation or leisure, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and whether these hypothesized associations are moderated by age, gender, income, marital status and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status. The second aim was to determine how much of the total variance of the walking and physical activity outcomes can be attributed to neighborhood-level differences. Neighborhood walkability was objectively measured by GIS methods. An index consisting of residential density, street connectivity, and land use mix was constructed to define 32 highly and less walkable neighborhoods in Stockholm City. MVPA was measured objectively during 7 days with an accelerometer and walking was assessed using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Multilevel linear as well as logistic models (mixed-effects, mixed-distribution models) were used in the analysis. The statistically significant and “adjusted” results for individuals living in highly walkable neighborhoods, as compared to those living in less walkable neighborhoods, were: (1) 77% and 28% higher odds for walking for active transportation and walking for leisure, respectively, (2) 50 min more walking for active transportation/week, and (3) 3.1 min more MVPA/day. The proportion of the total variance at the neighborhood level was low and ranged between 0.0% and 2.1% in the adjusted models. The findings of the present study stress that future policies concerning the built environment must be based on context-specific evidence, particularly in the light of the fact that neighborhood redevelopments are time-consuming and expensive.     

The built environment and recreational physical activity among adults in Curitiba, Brazil

Objective

To examine the relationship between objective measures of the built environment (BE) and recreational physical activity (PA) in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

Method

A phone survey was carried among a random sample of 1206 people. Walking during leisure time (WLT) and moderate and vigorous recreational PA (MVPA) was measured using IPAQ. Characteristics of the BE were determined in an area of 500 m surrounding respondent's homes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between recreational PA and BE.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, WLT was associated with area income level US$971.45-3341.64 vs. US$167.05-461.06 (25.7% vs. 11.1% POR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5-4.4), having ≥ 2 gyms vs. none (26.1% vs. 12.7%, POR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2-3.0) and distance to recreation centers, 1769.1-2835.5 km vs. 2835.6-10,212.3 km (22.1% vs. 11.0%, POR = 2.3; 95% CI = (1.0-2.5). MVPA was associated with neighborhood income US$971.45-3341.64 vs. US$167.05-461.06 (47.6% vs. 22.0% POR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.5-5.9) and having ≥ 2 gyms vs. none (41.7% vs. 26.0%, POR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.11-2.1).

Conclusion

The presence of some recreational facilities for PA was associated with recommended levels of PA during leisure time in Curitiba, Brazil.     

Neighborhood walkability,deprivation and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A population-based study on 512,061 Swedish adults

Neighborhood walkability has been associated with increased physical activity, but only a few studies have explored the association between walkability and health outcomes related to physical activity, such as type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between objectively assessed neighborhood walkability and the 4-year incidence of type 2 diabetes in a sample of 512,061 Swedish adults aged 18 years and older. Neighborhoods were defined by 408 administratively defined geographical areas in the city of Stockholm. We found a negative association between walkability and type 2 diabetes (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.13–1.55) that remained significant after adjusting for neighborhood deprivation. This association, however, no longer remained statistically significant after adjusting for individual socio-demographic factors. These results were also confirmed using a co-sibling design. Future studies are encouraged to further explore the potential effect of a broader array of the neighborhood built environment on health outcomes related to physical activity.     

Dietary program and physical activity impact on biochemical markers in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

Objectives

Evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of independently or combined dietary and physical activity programs on the blood glucose values and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes, including participants aged 60 years and over.

Associations between the built environment and physical activity among adults with low socio-economic status in Canada: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo synthesize literature on the associations between the built environment and physical activity among adults with low socio-economic status (SES) in Canada.MethodsUsing a pre-specified study protocol (PROSPERO ID: CRD42019117894), we searched seven databases from inception to November 2018, for peer-reviewed quantitative studies that (1) included adults with low SES living in Canada and (2) estimated the association between self-reported or objectively measured built characteristics and self-reported or objectively measured physical activity. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Findings were synthesized using a narrative approach.SynthesisOf the 8338 citations identified by our search, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies included adults living in one province (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec), with one study including a national sample. All studies were cross-sectional, and none controlled for residential self-selection. Sampling designs and data collection strategies were heterogeneous. Sample sizes ranged between 78 and 37,241 participants. Most studies measured SES using household income. Street connectivity, greenness, destination density, and walkability were positively associated with physical activity. Relative to the objectively measured built environment, associations between the self-reported built environment and physical activity were less consistent. Studies were of fair to good quality.ConclusionFindings suggest that the neighbourhood built environment is associated with physical activity among adults with low SES in Canada. More rigorous study designs are needed to determine whether or not the built environment and physical activity are causally related within this vulnerable population.     

新鲜水果摄入与2型糖尿病患者血糖控制关系的研究

目的 探讨2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者新鲜水果摄入与血糖控制状况的关系。方法 2013年12月至2014年1月,采用整群随机抽样方法,对江苏省常熟市、淮安市原清河区和淮安区纳入基本公共卫生服务管理的19 473名T2DM患者进行流行病学调查。联合FPG和糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）两项指标评价血糖控制状况。采用多元logistic回归模型分析新鲜水果摄入与血糖控制状况的关系。结果 62.4%的T2DM患者食用新鲜水果,随着每周新鲜水果摄入频率和每天新鲜水果摄入量的增加,T2DM患者FPG和HbA1c水平均呈现下降趋势。与不吃新鲜水果者相比,新鲜水果摄入频率1～4次/周和≥5次/周者血糖控制差的风险分别降低20%（OR=0.80,95% CI：0.73～0.87）和30%（OR=0.70,95% CI：0.62～0.80）,摄入新鲜水果50～99 g/d和≥100 g/d者血糖控制差的风险均显著降低,OR值（95% CI）分别为0.71（0.62～0.83）和0.68（0.59～0.78）。结论 新鲜水果摄入与T2DM患者血糖控制状况有统计学关联,随着新鲜水果摄入频率和摄入量的增加,T2DM患者FPG、HbA1c水平均呈现下降趋势,有助于其血糖控制。     

Methodologies for assessing contextual exposure to the built environment in physical activity studies: A systematic review

Growing research has integrated Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and accelerometry in studying effects of built environment on physical activity outcomes. This systematic review aimed to summarize current geospatial methods of assessing contextual exposure to the built environment in these studies. Based on reviewing 79 eligible articles, methods were identified and grouped into three main categories based on similarities in their approaches as follows: domain-based (67% of studies), buffer-based (22%), and activity space-based (11%). Additionally, technical barriers and potential sources of uncertainties in each category were discussed and recommendations on methodological improvements were made.     

Mapping food and physical activity environments in low- and middle-income countries: A systematised review

This systematised literature review synthesised evidence on approaches to mapping food and physical activity (PA) environments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Of the 60 articles included, 25 and 35 mapped food and PA environments respectively. All studies were cross-sectional with researcher-led data collection. Three types of mapping tools were identified – maps (n = 18), GPS (n = 10), and GIS (n = 37). Our findings point to a paucity of research mapping food and PA environments, overall and particularly subjective domains. We highlight a need for future studies that utilise innovative, inexpensive and participatory research methods to understand dynamic exposures to obesogenic environment features in resource-constrained contexts undergoing rapid urbanisation.     

Neighborhood social and physical environments and type 2 diabetes mellitus in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study

Using data from Jackson Heart Study, we investigated the associations of neighborhood social and physical environments with prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in African Americans (AA). Among non-diabetic participants at baseline (n=3670), 521 (14.2%) developed T2DM during a median follow-up of 7.3 years. Measures of neighborhood social environments, and food and physical activity resources were derived using survey-and GIS-based methods. Prevalence ratios (PR) and Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using generalized estimating equations and Cox proportional hazards models. Higher neighborhood social cohesion was associated with a 22% lower incidence of T2DM while higher density of unfavorable food stores was associated with a 34% higher incidence of T2DM after adjusting for individual-level risk factors (HR=0.78 [95% CI:0.62, 0.99] and HR=1.34 [1.12, 1.60], respectively). In addition, neighborhood problems was also associated with prevalence of T2DM (PR=1.12 [1.03, 1.21]) independent of individual-level risk factors. Our findings suggest that efforts to strengthen community ties or to attract healthy food retail outlets might be important strategies to consider for prevention of T2DM in AA.     

吸烟和戒烟行为与男性2型糖尿病血糖控制关系的研究

目的 探讨男性2型糖尿病患者吸烟和戒烟行为与血糖控制的关系。方法 2013年12月至2014年1月,采用整群随机抽样方法,对江苏省常熟市、淮安市清河区和淮安区纳入国家基本公共卫生服务管理的7 763名男性2型糖尿病患者进行问卷调查和体格测量,并检测FPG和糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）。采用多元线性回归模型分析吸烟和戒烟行为与血糖控制的关系。结果 男性2型糖尿病患者现在吸烟率为45.5%。随着吸烟量的增加,FPG和HbA1c水平均呈现上升趋势（P<0.001）。在药物治疗的糖尿病患者中,吸烟年限≥ 50年者和吸烟指数≥ 40包年者的HbA1c水平分别升高0.27%（95% CI：0.05%~0.49%）和0.38%（95% CI：0.23%~0.53%）,戒烟者随着戒烟年限的增加,其FPG和HbA1c水平呈下降趋势（P<0.05）。在非药物治疗的糖尿病患者中,吸烟和戒烟年限与FPG及HbA1c水平均未发现剂量反应关系。结论 吸烟不利于糖尿病患者血糖的控制,尤其是药物治疗的患者。戒烟有利于血糖控制,应鼓励和帮助吸烟患者及早戒烟。     

Examining the state,quality and strength of the evidence in the research on built environments and physical activity among adults: An overview of reviews from high income countries

BackgroundBuilt environments have been implicated in the development of chronic disease, with physical activity (PA) considered one of the critical mechanisms for this relationship. Substantial growth in research on built environments and PA makes navigating the available evidence challenging.ObjectiveTo examine and describe the current state, strength and quality of research investigating the associations between built environments and PA domains of active living (i.e., leisure, transportation, occupational) and total PA among adults (≥18 years) from high-income OECD countries.MethodsWe conducted an overview of systematic reviews. A systematic search of six bibliographic databases and grey literature from January 2000 to May 2020. Review quality was assessed with the AMSTAR2. Results by age group were synthesized narratively and direction of association displayed using harvest plots. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using a modified GRADE approach.ResultsThe overview included 116 systematic reviews. Most evidence was cross-sectional and of low-to-very low quality. Moderate-to-high certainty of evidence supported positive associations between environments that support active transportation (e.g., walkability, walking infrastructure, street connectivity, land-use mix) and transportation PA among adults/working-aged adults. Across all age groups, there was very low-to-moderate certainty for consistent positive associations between point of decision prompts (e.g., signs in stairwells and along paths) and all PA. Evidence from older adults was of very low certainty and largely equivocal. There was little-to-no evidence for young and middle-aged adults and occupational PA.DiscussionWhile there has been an increase in evidence from observational and natural experiment studies, most has been related to active transportation infrastructure and point of decision prompts. There remains a need for these studies to evaluate built environments for leisure and occupational PA and among younger and older adults, and for high quality reviews to summarize this evidence. Interventions that target changes to the built environment show promise for promoting PA among adults, providing an important means to combat the global physical inactivity crisis.     

上海市金山区2型糖尿病患者血糖控制及用药现状调查

目的 评价金山区社区管理的2型糖尿病患者的血糖控制情况,描述2型糖尿病患者的用药现状.方法 采用单纯随机抽样的方法抽取本区2型糖尿病患者110人进行问卷调查和体检.结果 110位患者,糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)平均值为(7.3±1.3)％.根据2007年中华医学会糖尿病学分会(CDS)推荐的控制目标,28.2％的患者HbA1c达标(＜6.5％),4.5％的患者HbA1c、血压(BP)和甘油三酯(TG)都达标(HbA1c＜ 6.5％,BP＜ 130/80 mm Hg,TG＜ 1.5 mmol/L);降糖药使用位居前3位的依次为磺脲类、双胍类、胰岛素,分别占使用降糖药总人数的63.5％、50.0％和15.4％;血糖控制组患者单用口服药比例高于糖控制不良组患者.结论 本区2型糖尿病患者仍有相当比例患者HbA1c水平不达标,接受胰岛素治疗患者比例低,需要加强糖尿病预防控制工作,逐步改善糖尿病防治状况.     

Wave 1 results of the INTerventions,Research, and Action in Cities Team (INTERACT) cohort study: Examining spatio-temporal measures for urban environments and health

Built environment interventions have the potential to improve population health and reduce health inequities. The objective of this paper is to present the first wave of the INTErventions, Research, and Action in Cities Team (INTERACT) cohort studies in Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Montreal, Canada. We examine how our cohorts compared to Canadian census data and present summary data for our outcomes of interest (physical activity, well-being, and social connectedness). We also compare location data and activity spaces from survey data, research-grade GPS and accelerometer devices, and a smartphone app, and compile measures of proximity to select built environment interventions.     

1998-2013年我国2型糖尿病患者降糖药物使用和血糖控制趋势分析的系统评价

目的 系统评价1998-2013年我国T2DM患者降糖药物使用结构的变化及其对血糖控制影响情况的近期趋势,为患者的临床用药和血糖控制提供参考。方法 全面检索CNKI和PubMed等中英文数据库相关文献。根据纳入和排除标准对文献进行筛选、提取资料,对降糖药物使用率及血糖控制率进行趋势分析。结果 1998-2013年我国T2DM患者二甲双胍使用率始终保持最高水平,稳定在50%左右,磺脲类呈下降趋势,但使用率仍处于第2位。其次为α-糖苷酶抑制剂,逐渐上升至30%左右。噻唑烷二酮类呈现出先升高后下降的趋势。胰岛素、DPP-4i和GLP-1RA的使用率逐渐升高。二甲双胍合并磺脲类始终是最常见的二联用药方式,但使用率下降,二甲双胍合并α-糖苷酶抑制剂的使用率升高。我国T2DM患者血糖控制率总体呈上升趋势,从2000年前的不足10%上升到2013年的492%。结论 我国T2DM患者降糖药物使用种类增多,使用结构发生相应的变化,符合糖尿病相关指南与共识的要求,血糖控制明显改善。     

Likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines in rural and urban adults: cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey

ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to compare the odds of meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines among adults living in rural and urban areas of Canada.MethodsData from the 2017 cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey were analyzed using binomial logistic regression with a sample of 47,266 adults representing a survey-weighted total of 25,669,018. The odds of meeting PA guidelines were determined based on self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (<150 min per week or ≥150 min per week). Communities were categorized as urban or rural based on population size and density. Individual-level correlates included in the model were self-identified sex, age, body mass index, highest level of education, household income, perceived health, and sense of belonging to community.ResultsApproximately 56.6% of rural and 59.3% of urban adults reported meeting recommended PA levels when location was examined as a sole predictor. The best-fit model adjusted for all individual-level factors showed a significant sex × location interaction. Males in rural communities were more likely to report meeting PA guidelines (odds = 0.90 or 47.4%) than males in urban areas (odds = 0.78 or 43.8%), whereas females living in rural communities (odds = 0.58 or 36.7%) were less likely to report meeting PA guidelines than females in urban areas (odds = 0.65 or 39.4%).ConclusionThe association between rural-urban residence and meeting PA guidelines appears to be contingent on self-identified sex differences. Future work should explore how gender- and location-related variables interact to influence self-reported PA engagement.     

Examining the state,quality and strength of the evidence in the research on built environments and physical activity among children and youth: An overview of reviews from high income countries

BackgroundBuilt environments have shown to be associated with health, with physical activity (PA) considered one of the critical pathways for achieving benefits. Navigating available evidence on the built environment and PA is challenging given the number of reviews.ObjectiveExamine the current state and quality of research looking at associations between built environments and total PA and domains of PA (i.e., leisure/recreation, transportation, school) among children and youth (1–18 years).MethodsWe systematically searched the grey literature and six bibliographic databases from January 2000 to May 2020. Review quality was assessed using the AMSTAR2. Results by age group were synthesized using narrative syntheses and harvest plots, and certainty of the evidence was assessed using a modified GRADE approach.ResultsThis overview included 65 reviews. Most reviews were of very low-to-low quality. High certainty was found for positive associations between transportation PA and walking/cycling/active transportation (AT) infrastructure. There was high certainty for positive associations between streets/play streets and total PA, alongside lower certainty for transportation and leisure PA. Very low-to-moderate certainty supports schoolyards designed to promote PA were positively associated with total PA, but mixed for school PA (except children). Less consistent positive associations were found for forests/trees, greenspace/open space, recreation facilities, street lighting, traffic safety, population/residential density, proximity/access to destinations, neighbourhood characteristics, and home environments. There is very low-to-moderate certainty for negative associations between greater distance to school and traffic volume and domains of PA. Generally, null or mixed associations were observed for aesthetics, parks, AT comfort infrastructure, land-use mix, street connectivity, urban/rural status, and public transit.DiscussionThere remains a need for high quality systematic reviews and studies to evaluate the effects of environmental changes across the pediatric age spectrum and using a PA domain approach. Given the global physical inactivity crisis the built environment remains and important means to promote PA among children/youth.