Transit-Related Walking to Work in Promoting Physical Activity

J Phys Act Health. 2015 Apr;12(4):483-9. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2013-0342. Epub 2014 Jun 4.

Abstract

Background: Transit-related walking to work is a potential strategy for incorporating physical activity into daily life and promoting health benefits. This study estimated the transit-related walking time for work trips on the journey to and from work and examined the predictors of transit users who walked to/from transit and the workplace and those who walked 30 minutes or more per day.

Methods: This study used the 2009 National Household Travel Survey and identified 772 subjects who took transit to/from work, 355 subjects who walked to/from transit and the workplace, and 145 subjects who walked 30 minutes or more per day among the 40,659 workers. Weighted logistic regressions were used for the analysis.

Results: Of the people who walked to/from transit and the workplace, 40.9% walked 30 minutes or more per day. The weighted logistic regressions revealed that low-income groups and workers living in high population density areas were more likely to walk to/from transit and the workplace. Workers living in high population density areas were more likely to walk 30 minutes or more per day.

Conclusions: Transit-related walking to work provides an opportunity to increase physical activity levels and to meet the physical activity recommendations.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exercise*
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poverty
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Transportation*
  • Travel
  • Walking*
  • Work
  • Workplace*