Physical activity as a mediator of the associations between neighborhood walkability and adiposity in Belgian adults

This study examined whether physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior mediated the relationship of neighborhood walkability with two measures of adiposity. body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) Twenty-four neighborhoods in Ghent, Belgium were selected, stratified by objectively assessed walkability and by socio-economic status Participants (1200 adults aged 20-65 years) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for 7 days Weight and height were self-reported and waist circumference was objectively measured Accelerometer-assessed moderate-to-vigorous PA and self-reported cycling for transport mediated the associations of walkability with BMI and WHTR. Moreover, walking for transport and recreational walking significantly mediated the relationship between walkability and BMI. Sedentary behavior did not mediate associations of walkability with BMI or WHTR. These findings suggest that PA, but not sedentary behavior, is a mechanism by which walkability may affect adults' adiposity Planning for neighborhoods to be high in walkability could have favorable effects on physical activity and weight status (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.