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Cited by 244Urban Transport and AccessibilityPhysical Activity and HealthUrban Green Space and Health

The Effect of Light Rail Transit on Body Mass Index and Physical Activity

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MacDonald, John M., Stokes, Robert J., Cohen, Deborah A., Kofner, Aaron, Ridgeway, Greg K.·2010·American Journal of Preventive Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.03.016PMC PMC2919301
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Abstract

Background The built environment can constrain or facilitate physical activity. Most studies of the health consequences of the built environment face problems of selection bias associated with confounding effects of residential choice and transportation decisions. Purpose To examine the cross-sectional associations between objective and perceived measures of the built environment; BMI; obesity (BMI>30 kg/m(2)); and meeting weekly recommended physical activity (RPA) levels through walking and vigorous exercise. To assess the effect of using light rail transit (LRT) system on BMI, obesity, and weekly RPA levels. Methods Data were collected on individuals before (July 2006-February 2007) and after (March 2008-July 2008) completion of an LRT system in Charlotte NC. BMI, obesity, and physical activity levels were calculated for a comparison of these factors pre- and post-LRT construction. A propensity score weighting approach adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics among LRT and non-LRT users. Data were analyzed in 2009. Results More-positive perceptions of one's neighborhood at baseline were associated with a -0.36 (p<0.05) lower BMI; 15% lower odds (95% CI=0.77, 0.94) of obesity; 9% higher odds (95% CI=0.99, 1.20) of meeting weekly RPA through walking; and 11% higher odds (95% CI=1.01, 1.22) of meeting RPA levels of vigorous exercise. The use of LRT to commute to work was associated with an average -1.18 reduction in BMI (p<0.05) and an 81% reduced odds (95% CI=0.04, 0.92) of becoming obese over time. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that improving neighborhood environments and increasing the public's use of LRT systems could provide improvements in health outcomes for millions of individuals.

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Authors
MacDonald, J. M., Stokes, R. J., Cohen, D. A., Kofner, A., & Ridgeway, G. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • Drexel University (US)
  • RAND Corporation (US)
Corresponding author
MacDonald, John M.
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-08
Volume
39
Issue
2
Pages
105-112
ISSN
0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.amepre.2010.03.016
PMC
PMC2919301
OpenAlex
W1968198493
Cited by
244
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 25
FWCI
41.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R21ES014167)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
Keywords
light rail transit, body mass index, obesity, physical activity, built environment, neighborhood environment, walking, high-intensity exercise, transit ridership, commuting, Charlotte, North Carolina, propensity score weighting
MeSH terms
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, North Carolina, Residence Characteristics, Transportation, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Walking

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