P04 Relating physical activity and transport behaviour to health status. Issue 2 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laeremans, Michelle; Dons, Evi; Avila-Palencia, Ione; Cole-Hunter, Thomas; Pablo Orjuela, Juan; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark; de Nazelle, Audrey; Int Panis, Luc
• Is Part Of: Journal of transport & health. Volume 2:Issue 2(2015:Jun.)Supplement
• Page Start: S65
• Page End: S66
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Transportation -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Noise, Transportation -- Periodicals; Air Pollutants -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2015.04.463
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-1405

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Lack of physical activity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality. Many people do not reach the 150 min weekly target defined by the WHO. Walking and cycling for travel is therefore suggested as an innovative measure to increase the activity level of the population. Unfortunately, being active in traffic implies exposure to elevated air pollution concentrations which comes with a health cost. This study will investigate the health status of urban citizens taking into account their general activity level as this causes numerous physiological changes which may be confounded with air pollution exposure. Methods: The framework for this study is the FP7 project "Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches" (PASTA) which collects questionnaire data on people׳s transport and physical activity behaviour. Data from baseline questionnaires was used to select a total sample of 120 participants, fitting selection criteria (older than 65, BMI above 30 and smoking), in three cities: Antwerp, Barcelona and London. Potential participants were divided into four groups based on the combination of their activity level and transport mode preference. Labelling participants as physically active or inactive was based on their answers to GPAQ questions within the PASTA questionnaire. We calculated the total amount of physical activity performed and compared it to the WHO threshold. Participants were categorised as either active or non-active transport mode commuters based upon their habitual use of transport modes which was also reported in the PASTA questionnaires. In selected participants, we validate self-reported data by tracking them using a GPS, µ-aethalometer, Sensewear armband, Zephyr BioHarness and the ExpoApp. These data are related to the participant׳s health status which is defined by blood pressure, heart rate variability, fundus photography, lung function and inflammation. Results: The PASTA project has already collected 1269 complete baseline questionnaires in Antwerp, Barcelona and London. After eliminating those that did not fit the selection criteria from the 849 expressing interest to participate further, 729 potential participants remained [479 physically active (423 active and 56 non-active commuters), 250 physically inactive (213 active and 37 non-active commuters)]. Respectively, on average 359±251 and 409±384, and 79±40 and 73±44, minutes are spent performing moderate physical activity per week. Conclusions: Participation in the PASTA project enables us to select a sample with a uniform distribution over the four categories of interest. This is the first multicentre study to investigate the health effects of physical activity in a polluted environment taking into account participant׳s fitness status.