Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Health & Place |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 6 |
Pages (from-to) | 1191-1201 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 1353-8292 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |