Objectively measuring the association between the built environment and physical activity: a systematic review and reporting framework

Abstract

Background: Objective measures of built environment and physical activity provide the opportunity to directly compare their relationship across different populations and spatial contexts. This systematic review synthesises the current body of knowledge and knowledge gaps around the impact of objectively measured built environment metrics on physical activity levels in adults (≥ 18 years). Additionally, this review aims to address the need for improved quality of methodological reporting to evaluate studies and improve inter-study comparability though the creation of a reporting framework.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. After abstract and full-text screening, 94 studies were included in the final review. Results were synthesised using an association matrix to show overall association between built environment and physical activity variables. Finally, the new PERFORM ('Physical and Environmental Reporting Framework for Objectively Recorded Measures') checklist was created and applied to the included studies rating them on their reporting quality across four key areas: study design and characteristics, built environment exposures, physical activity metrics, and the association between built environment and physical activity.

Results: Studies came from 21 countries and ranged from two days to six years in duration. Accelerometers and using geographic information system (GIS) to define the spatial extent of exposure around a pre-defined geocoded location were the most popular tools to capture physical activity and built environment respectively. Ethnicity and socio-economic status of participants were generally poorly reported. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was the most common metric of physical activity used followed by walking. Commonly investigated elements of the built environment included walkability, access to parks and green space. Areas where there was a strong body of evidence for a positive or negative association between the built environment and physical activity were identified. The new PERFORM checklist was devised and poorly reported areas identified, included poor reporting of built environment data sources and poor justification of method choice.

Conclusions: This systematic review highlights key gaps in studies objectively measuring the built environment and physical activity both in terms of the breadth and quality of reporting. Broadening the variety measures of the built environment and physical activity across different demographic groups and spatial areas will grow the body and quality of evidence around built environment effect on activity behaviour. Whilst following the PERFORM reporting guidance will ensure the high quality, reproducibility, and comparability of future research.

Keywords: Accelerometer; Built environment; Geographic information systems; Global positioning systems; Physical activity.

Fig. 1

PRISMA flow diagram

Fig. 2

Distribution of article publication date, articles using smartphone data are indicated in orange

Fig. 3

Count of studies from included OECD countries

Fig. 4

Most commonly reported and controlled for covariates across included studies (N = 94)

Fig. 5

Associations between physical activity and the built environment measures across all included studies (N = 94). The number in the cell indicates number of studies investigating the association and the cell colour indicates the overall association between the metrics across all included studies (1.0 BE promotes PA to -1.0 BE impedes PA)

Fig. 6

Proportion of studies meeting each PERFORM checklist criteria. (BEE: Built Environment Exposure, PA: Physical activity)

Fig. 7

Violin plots depicting the distribution of studies that A Capture activity space suing. GIS around a geocoded area, GPS devices, Primary or Secondary smartphone data. B Stand-alone studies or are one in a series of papers reporting on the same data