Transport mode choice and body mass index: Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from a European-wide study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Evi Dons - , Hasselt University, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Author)
  • David Rojas-Rueda - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Esther Anaya-Boig - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Ione Avila-Palencia - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Christian Brand - , University of Oxford (Author)
  • Tom Cole-Hunter - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network, Colorado State University (Author)
  • Audrey de Nazelle - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Ulf Eriksson - , Trivector AB (Author)
  • Mailin Gaupp-Berghausen - , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Author)
  • Regine Gerike - , Chair of Mobility System Planning (Author)
  • Sonja Kahlmeier - , University of Zurich (Author)
  • Michelle Laeremans - , Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Hasselt University (Author)
  • Natalie Mueller - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Tim Nawrot - , Hasselt University, KU Leuven (Author)
  • Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Juan Pablo Orjuela - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Francesca Racioppi - , World Health Organization (Author)
  • Elisabeth Raser - , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Author)
  • Arnout Standaert - , Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Author)
  • Luc Int Panis - , Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Hasselt University (Author)
  • Thomas Götschi - , University of Zurich (Author)

Abstract

Background: In the fight against rising overweight and obesity levels, and unhealthy urban environments, the renaissance of active mobility (cycling and walking as a transport mode) is encouraging. Transport mode has been shown to be associated to body mass index (BMI), yet there is limited longitudinal evidence demonstrating causality. We aimed to associate transport mode and BMI cross-sectionally, but also prospectively in the first ever European-wide longitudinal study on transport and health. Methods: Data were from the PASTA project that recruited adults in seven European cities (Antwerp, Barcelona, London, Oerebro, Rome, Vienna, Zurich) to complete a series of questionnaires on travel behavior, physical activity levels, and BMI. To assess the association between transport mode and BMI as well as change in BMI we performed crude and adjusted linear mixed-effects modeling for cross-sectional (n = 7380) and longitudinal (n = 2316) data, respectively. Results: Cross-sectionally, BMI was 0.027 kg/m2 (95%CI 0.015 to 0.040) higher per additional day of car use per month. Inversely, BMI was −0.010 kg/m2 (95%CI −0.020 to −0.0002) lower per additional day of cycling per month. Changes in BMI were smaller in the longitudinal within-person assessment, however still statistically significant. BMI decreased in occasional (less than once per week) and non-cyclists who increased cycling (−0.303 kg/m2, 95%CI −0.530 to −0.077), while frequent (at least once per week) cyclists who stopped cycling increased their BMI (0.417 kg/m2, 95%CI 0.033 to 0.802). Conclusions: Our analyses showed that people lower their BMI when starting or increasing cycling, demonstrating the health benefits of active mobility.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)109-116
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironment international
Volume119
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29957352

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Active mobility, BMI, Body mass index, Cycling, Physical activity, Walking