This study looks at the magnitude, direction, and statistical significance of the relationship between active travel and rates of physical activity, obesity, and diabetes.
- Researchers examined aggregate cross-sectional health and travel data for 14 countries, all 50 US states, and 47 of the 50 largest US cities through graphical, correlation, and bivariate regression analysis on the country, state, and city levels.
- Researchers found statistically significant negative relationships between active travel and self-reported obesity at all 3 geographic levels.
- At the state and city levels, researchers found statistically significant positive relationships between active travel and physical activity and statistically significant negative relationships between active travel and diabetes.
- This analysis provides additional evidence of the population-level health benefits of active travel.
- Policies on transport, land-use, and urban development should be designed to encourage walking and cycling for daily travel.
Pucher, John, Buehler, Ralph, Bassett, David R., and Dannenberg, Andrew L. “Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of city, state, and International Data.”American Journal of Public Health. (2010): e1–e7.
web resource
