Preventing Chronic Disease | Correlates of Walking for Transportation and Use of Public Transportation Among Adults in St Louis, Missouri, 2012 - CDC
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Correlates of Walking for Transportation and Use of Public Transportation Among Adults in St Louis, Missouri, 2012
Marissa L. Zwald, MPH; James A. Hipp, PhD; Marui W. Corseuil, MPH; Elizabeth A. Dodson, PhD, MPH
Suggested citation for this article: Zwald ML, Hipp JA, Corseuil MW, Dodson EA. Correlates of Walking for Transportation and Use of Public Transportation Among Adults in St Louis, Missouri, 2012. Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:140125. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.140125
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PEER REVIEWED
Abstract
Introduction
Attributes of the built environment can influence active transportation, including use of public transportation. However, the relationship between perceptions of the built environment and use of public transportation deserves further attention. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the relationship between personal characteristics and public transportation use with meeting national recommendations for moderate physical activity through walking for transportation and 2) to examine associations between personal and perceived environmental factors and frequency of public transportation use.
Attributes of the built environment can influence active transportation, including use of public transportation. However, the relationship between perceptions of the built environment and use of public transportation deserves further attention. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the relationship between personal characteristics and public transportation use with meeting national recommendations for moderate physical activity through walking for transportation and 2) to examine associations between personal and perceived environmental factors and frequency of public transportation use.
Methods
In 2012, we administered a mail-based survey to 772 adults in St Louis, Missouri, to assess perceptions of the built environment, physical activity, and transportation behaviors. The abbreviated International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess walking for transportation and use of public transportation. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used to examine perceptions of the built environment. Associations were assessed by using multinomial logistic regression.
In 2012, we administered a mail-based survey to 772 adults in St Louis, Missouri, to assess perceptions of the built environment, physical activity, and transportation behaviors. The abbreviated International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess walking for transportation and use of public transportation. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used to examine perceptions of the built environment. Associations were assessed by using multinomial logistic regression.
Results
People who used public transportation at least once in the previous week were more likely to meet moderate physical activity recommendations by walking for transportation. Age and employment were significantly associated with public transportation use. Perceptions of high traffic speed and high crime were negatively associated with public transportation use.
People who used public transportation at least once in the previous week were more likely to meet moderate physical activity recommendations by walking for transportation. Age and employment were significantly associated with public transportation use. Perceptions of high traffic speed and high crime were negatively associated with public transportation use.
Conclusion
Our results were consistent with previous research suggesting that public transportation use is related to walking for transportation. More importantly, our study suggests that perceptions of traffic speed and crime are related to frequency of public transportation use. Future interventions to encourage public transportation use should consider policy and planning decisions that reduce traffic speed and improve safety.
Our results were consistent with previous research suggesting that public transportation use is related to walking for transportation. More importantly, our study suggests that perceptions of traffic speed and crime are related to frequency of public transportation use. Future interventions to encourage public transportation use should consider policy and planning decisions that reduce traffic speed and improve safety.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and the Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity (no. 2001656847). We thank the study participants for their cooperation and Leslie Duling and Nora Geary for their help in study coordination, data collection, and data management.
Author Information
Corresponding Author: Marissa L. Zwald, MPH, Prevention Research Center in St Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, 621 N Skinker Blvd, Campus Box 1006, St Louis, MO 63130. Telephone: 314-935-0164. E-mail: MZwald@wustl.edu.
Author Affiliations: James A. Hipp, Elizabeth A. Dodson, Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri; Marui W. Corseuil, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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