Associations of perceived and objectively measured neighborhood environmental attributes with leisure-Time sitting for transport

Background: This study examined associations of perceived and objectively measured neighborhood environmental attributes with leisure-Time sitting for transport among middle-To-older aged Japanese adults. Method: Data were collected using a postal survey of 998 adults aged 40 to 69 years. Generalized linear modeling with a gamma distribution and a log link was used to examine associations of perceived (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Environmental module) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-derived built environment attributes with self-reported leisure-Time sitting for transport. Results: Mean leisure-Time sitting time for transport was 20.4 min/day. After adjusting for potential confounders, perceived higher residential density, GIS-measured higher population density, better access to destinations, better access to public transport, longer sidewalk length, and higher street connectivity, were associated significantly with lower sitting time for transport. Conclusion: Residents living in neighborhoods with attributes previously found to be associated with more walking tended to spend less time sitting for transport during leisure-Time. The health benefits of walkability-related attributes may accrue not only through increased physical activity, but also through less sedentary time.