Publications

The contributions of neighbourhood design in promoting metabolic health

Authors: Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Akitomo Yasunaga, Koichiro Oka, Tomoki Nakaya, Yukari Nagai, Jennifer E. Vena, Gavin R. McCormack

Using data from 6,718 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants, the researchers assessed associations between neighbourhood built environment and metabolic syndrome, or the presence of at least three clinical risk factors among lipid levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference. They found that neighbourhoods with more points of interest and greater overall active living environment-friendliness were associated with fewer metabolic syndrome risk factors and lower odds of metabolic syndrome. Higher dwelling density was also linked to having fewer metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Urban design and cardio-metabolic risk factors

Authors: Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Koichiro Oka, Tomoki Nakaya, Jennifer Vena, Tyler Williamson, Hude Quan, Gavin R. McCormack

This study aimed to estimate associations between neighbourhood built environment metrics and cardiovascular health. Using data from 7171 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants, researchers found that a new measure of neighbourhood design showed lower blood pressure in men and lower risk of being overweight or obese in men and women, whereas traditional measures did not show this association.

Associations between neighborhood walkability and walking following residential relocation: Findings from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project

Authors: Gavin R McCormack, Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Jennifer E Vena, Koichiro Oka, Tomoki Nakaya, Jonathan Chapman, Ryan Martinson, Graham Matsalla

This study aimed to estimate whether changes in neighbourhood walkability resulting from residential relocation were associated with leisure, transportation, and total walking levels. Using data from 5,977 urban adults (non-movers, movers to less walkability, and movers to more walkability), researchers found that time spent walking at follow-up was lower among those who moved to less walkable neighbourhoods, suggesting that relocating to less walkable neighbourhoods could negatively affect health.

Associations between neighbourhood street connectivity and sedentary behaviours in Canadian adults: Findings from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project

Authors: Vikram Nichani, Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Koichiro Oka, Tomoki Nakaya, Ai Shibata, Kaori Ishii, Akitomo Yasunaga, Jennifer E Vena, Gavin R McCormack

Researchers aimed to estimate associations between street connectivity, based on space syntax-derived street integration, and sedentary behaviours. Using data from 14,758 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants, they found that connectivity was positively related to various measures of sitting time and negatively associated with motor vehicle travel time.

A longitudinal residential relocation study of changes in street layout and physical activity

Researchers sourced data from 5,944 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants to estimate physical activity differences between non-movers and movers – those moving to neighbourhoods with less or more integrated street layouts. They found that moving to more integrated areas led to more leisure walking and more moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.