TABLE 3—
Predictors of “Beneficial” Relationships in Studies Examining the Built Environment and Obesity or Physical Activity: 2000–2011
| Article Finds a Statistically Significant Beneficial Relationship |
||
| Variable | Odds Ratio (95% CI) | Marginal Effect, % |
| Focus on a Southern state | 2.35 (0.37, 14.4) | +2.3 |
| Sample size | 1.15 (0.78, 1.70) | 0 |
| PA data objectively measureda | 0.10*** (0.03, 0.35) | −18.0 |
| Study focused on children (aged < 19 y) | 0.09*** (0.02, 0.38) | −14.2 |
| Study focused on overweight or obese populations only | 2.24 (0.36, 14.1) | +2.8 |
| Academic first author | 0.23*** (0.08, 0.70) | −3.4 |
| Sample drawn from | ||
| Home or community (Ref) | 1.00 | |
| School | 16.8** (1.78, 159.6) | +5.5 |
| Other or unknown | 12.9*** (3.22, 52.5) | +6.7 |
| Outcomes variable | ||
| General PA (Ref) | 1.00 | |
| Park or trail use | 1.43 (0.12, 16.8) | +1.1 |
| Direct measures of obesity (BMI) | 0.29* (0.08, 1.09) | −6.2 |
| Active transport | 0.14** (0.03, 0.66) | −16.4 |
| Inactivity | 0.05*** (0.01, 0.39) | −39.9 |
| Journal type | ||
| Public health or preventive medicine (Ref) | 1.00 | |
| Medicine or clinical | 6.78 (0.69, 66.5) | +4.1 |
| Physical fitness | 26.4*** (6.37, 109.8) | +5.3 |
| Transportation or urban planning | 1.0 (0.99, 1.01) | 0 |
| Year | 1.16 (0.87, 1.53) | +0.5 |
Notes. BMI = body mass index (defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters); CI = confidence interval; PA = physical activity. The sample contained 194 analyses clustered within 169 articles.
a
Technologically measured (e.g., pedometer) or investigator observed.
*P < .1; **P < .05; ***P < .01.