Adherence
Higher community population density and greater impervious surface area (urbanization metrics) are associated with significantly lower total physical activity levels in adults.
If you live in a dense urban area, be aware that your total daily movement is likely lower than in rural areas, even if you have access to gyms. To counteract this, you must intentionally incorporate active transport (walking/cycling) and avoid sedentary occupational habits, as urbanization naturally suppresses household and occupational activity.
Higher community baseline levels of population density (− 12.4% per IQR, 95% CI − 16.0, − 8.7) and impervious surface area (− 29.2% per IQR, 95% CI − 37.5, − 19.7)... were associated with lower total PA levels.
Why this rating
Large sample size (n=138,206), multi-country, objective urbanization metrics, but relies on self-reported PA.
Source
Urbanization and physical activity in the global Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study
Kwadwo Boakye et al. · Scientific Reports · 2023
DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-26406-5
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