Week 3: Correlates and determinants of PA, The Built Environment Flashcards
Explain correlation and causation (cause and effect)
CORRELATIONS refers to associations = Link between one variable and the other
CAUSATION refers to changes in one variable that bring about changes in the other = the two variables are BOTH correlated with each other AND there is a causal link between them
Correlation ≠ Causation because of the ‘third variable problem’ –> potential presence of confounding variables, extraneous factor; failing to account for third variables –> failing to account for third variables results in research biases
Outline how factors may be identified as correlates and determinants of health and PA
Correlates” and “determinants”
* Both used to reflect the factors that affect,
or are thought to affect, participation in
exercise and physical activity
* reproducible associations that are
potentially causal but not so
* environmental determinants of PA
* social determinants of PA
* political determinants of PA –> “determinant” a misnomer
Explain how factors are correlated with PA for children, adolescents and adults
Factors are correlated with PA for these groups of individuals when they …
- play a crucial role in determining an individual’s PA levels
- help promote healthier lifestyles in each age group
Trends in levels of PA in children and adoloscents
- Declines in PA observed with increasing age…
Smaller declines observed in: - Children 4-9 years: boys than girls
- Children 10-13 years: those with higher levels of previous PA, higher self-efficacy
- Adolescents 14-18 years: those with higher perceived behavioural control, higher self-efficacy, more support for PA
- Heterogeneity in study samples, exposure and
outcome variables - Reliance on self-reported PA
Craggs C et al., 2011
Identify and Describe the key aspects of ‘environment’ that are relevant to PA
- One-on-one intensive interventions are often not economically viable
- Environment represents a way of achieving population- level interventions to increase physical activity
Describe how urban sprawl influences the built environment
URBAN SPRAWL = rapid expansion of urban development on undeveloped land
effect on built environment = poor street connectivity, low RD, poor land use mix, poor walkability
Discuss the (direct and indirect) influence of the ‘private car’ on the built environment and health
direct:
- Driving >9hr/week = 30% higher depression risk over 9 years vs. <5hr/week (Sui et al., 2015)
- Driving >10hr/week = 50% higher CVD death riskover 21 years (vs. driving <4hr/week) (Warren et al., 2010)
- Car accident-related deaths
-Car accident-related disability
-Deaths/disability or pedestrians/cyclists
-Respiratory disease
-CVD
-Obesity
-Stress/depression
-Noise pollution
indirect:
* Deterrent for cycling/walking/physical activity
* More sedentary behaviour
* Restrict children’s opportunities to play/be outdoors
* Damage community cohesion
* Fossil fuel dependence = oil wars
identify key PA related aspects of the workplace and indoor environment
✨ ACTIVITY BASED WORKING ✨
- layout is centred
around an activity –> promote PA
by needing to move
between activity
areas
✨ SIT- STAND DESKS✨
✨ encouraging STAIR USE✨
- making stairs more accessible and attractive
What are some examples of environmental interventions and their impact on PA?
🗺️ STREET DESIGN🗺️
- improving street lighting = increased number of pedestrians and reduced crime –> increased PA
🥾 URBAN TRAIL🥾
- encourages PA by providing mobility for active transportation (esp walking & cycling)
- creating greenways through developed areas
- generating viable, everyday travel choices
walkability = RD + street connectivity + mixed land uses + pedestriation infrastructure
🏡 residential density🏡
- high RD can promote PA by providing more services, public transport and more destinations but discourage PA by creating more traffic, noise pollution, crowding and ultimately decreasing safety and the attractiveness of the environment
🛣️ street connectivity🛣️
- providing a variety of pathways to travel via active transport
🏔️mixed land uses🏔️
- refers to complementary land uses in a balanced mix of residential, shops, education, etc.
- ↑ mixed land use = walking/cycling friendly
- ↓ need for long commutes = more convenient to engage in PA
🚶♂️ pedestrian infrastructure 🚶♂️
- using speed management, side walks, footpaths, amenities (benches, lighting, water fountains, etc.) = ↑ PA
What is a Determinant? What is a Determinant of PA?
DETERMINANT = used to describe causal relationships –> cause and effect relationships between two or more variables
DETERMINANT OF PA = factors or influences that can affect or influence a person’s level of PA
What are examples of correlate of PA across children and adolescents?
Children:
- parental support
- access to safe play areas
- peer influence
Adolescents:
- school environment
- sports participation
- social support
- screen time, sedentary behaviour
What are examples of correlates of PA
according to Craggs et al, 2011 :
BIOLOGICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC
- gender, age, anthropometry
PSYCHOLOGICAL
- preference for PA, perceived competence, perceived behavioural control, exercise knowledge
BEHAVIOURAL
- previous PA, SB, alcohol consumption
SOCIOCULTURAL
- support for PA, parents attitudes to PA, peer social support
ENVIRONMENTAL
- availability of PA infrastructure/equipment, distance to school, road characteristics
What is the Built Environment and its attributes?
BUILT ENVIRONMENT = totality of man-made design and built places, including buildings, grounds around buildings, layout of communities, land use patterns, transportation, infrastructure, parks and trails
Attributes:
1) public transportation
2) bike infrastructure
3) walkability
4) street design
5) amenities
6) access to recreational spaces
7) safety
8) aesthetics
9) indoor environment
How does the built environment interact with PA?
- Can facilitate PA by providing
features that promote
substantial changes in
population level PA - Clear association shown
between neighbourhood built
environment and PA behaviours - Evidence for relationships
between aspects of built
environment and disease
Private Car vs People stats 📈
- reducing walking trips by 30% in the last 4 decades
- adults walking only 20% of 1.5 km or less trips
- cards responsible for 20% of CO2 emissions
