Path Analysis of Campus Walkability/Bikeability and College Students' Physical Activity Attitudes, Behaviors, and Body Mass Index.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2018
Keywords
Age Factors, Bicycling, Body Mass Index, Continental Population Groups, Cross-Sectional Studies, Environment Design, Exercise, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Metabolic Equivalent, Sex Factors, Students, Universities, Walking
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the walkability/bikeability of college campuses and students' body mass index (BMI) with student physical activity (PA) attitudes and behaviors as potential mediators.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
SETTING: Thirteen university campuses.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1384 student participants.
MEASURES: Walkability/bikeability environmental score (ES): 12-item audit assessed an average of 44 path segments per campus. Students were measured for height and weight and completed online surveys. Physical activity stage of change/behavior intentions were assessed using the transtheoretical model. The Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed outcome expectations, self-regulation, and personal barriers. International Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed walking-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity PA.
ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, zero-order correlations, and path analysis with maximum likelihood estimation.
RESULTS: The overall model fit was good with χ
CONCLUSIONS: The ease of walking and biking on a campus was related to college students' walking behavior and their BMI. Students' PA behavioral intentions were associated with moderate PA and lower BMI. These results provide evidence to focus on policies and structural supports for walkable/bikeable environments to supplement and enhance interventions encouraging individual behavior change for PA and weight management.
Publication Title
American Journal of Health Promotion
Volume
32
Issue
3
First Page
578
Last Page
586
DOI of Published Version
10.1177/0890117116666357
Recommended Citation
Horacek, Tanya M.; Dede Yildirim, E.; Kattelmann, K.; Brown, O.; Byrd-Bredbenner, C.; Colby, S.; Greene, G.; Hoerr, S.; Kidd, T.; Koenings, M. M.; Morrell, J.; Olfert, M. D.; Phillips, B.; Shelnutt, K.; and White, A., "Path Analysis of Campus Walkability/Bikeability and College Students' Physical Activity Attitudes, Behaviors, and Body Mass Index." (2018). Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications. 159.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/hns_pubs/159