Does Climate Matter? How Temperature and Precipitation Affect the Relationship between Neighbourhood Walkability and Walking for Transportation

摘要

Previous research has found associations between neighbourhood walkability and transport walking, which has health benefits. However, the influence of climate on these associations is poorly understood. Our objective is to examine how climate modifies the association between walkability and walking to work or school across Canada. We hypothesize that this association is weaker in areas with more extreme climates. The study population is from the 2007-2014 Canadian Community Health Surveys, ongoing cross-sectional surveys of Canadians aged 12 and up. We excluded people who lived in rural areas or did not work or attend school. These surveys collect self-reported data on socio-demographics and transport walking. Climate data are 1981-2010 climate normals from weather stations across Canada and walkability data are Walk Score® values of respondents' residential locations. We estimated associations between walkability (split into quintiles) and energy expenditure on walking to work/school, adjusting for socio-demographics. To examine how climate modifies this association, we will incorporate the following variables into these models: mean temperature in hottest and coldest months, mean precipitation in wettest and driest months, days per year and degree days over and under specific temperatures. The mean energy expenditure on walking to work/school was 0.26 kcal/kg/day among people in the highest walkability quintile, compared to 0.08 kcal/kg/day in the lowest quintile. After adjusting for socio-demographics, the difference in energy expenditure was 0.17 kcal/kg/day (95% confidence interval [0.15-0.18]). Climate variables will be incorporated into these models, with results forthcoming. On average, people living in more walkable neighbourhoods walk to work or school more than people in less walkable neighbourhoods. Incorporation of climate variables into this analysis will inform whether climate should be considered when evaluating walkability and physical activity.