Objectively measured active travel and uses of activity-friendly neighborhood resources: Does change in use relate to change in physical activity and BMI?

- GPS & accelerometer measures show active travel changes relate to PA changes.
- Increasing park, recreation center, or transit uses relates to more PA.
- Decreasing park, recreation center, or transit uses relates to less PA.
- Changing transit use does not change park or recreation use, and vice versa.
- Policy should enhance active transportation and tie it to recreation options.

Few studies examine how objectively measured use of local physical activity resources contributes to objectively-measured healthy physical activity and weight changes over time. We utilized objective measures to test whether changes in active travel and uses of three physical activity (PA) resources-parks, recreation centers, and transit- related to changes in PA and BMI. Adults (n = 536) in Salt Lake City, UT, wore accelerometer and GPS units in 2012 and 2013, before and after neighborhood rail completion. Regression outcomes included accelerometer counts per minute (cpm), MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous activity minutes/10 h accelerometer wear) and measured BMI; key predictors were changes in active travel and PA resource uses (former and new uses). Significant results (all p < 0.05) showed that increased active travel related to increased total PA (59.86 cpm and 8.50 MVPA); decreased active travel related to decreased MVPA (− 3.01 MVPA). Poorer outcomes were seen after discontinuing use of parks (− 36.29 cpm, − 5.73 MVPA, and + 0.44 BMI points), recreation centers (− 6.18 MVPA), and transit (− 48.14 cpm, − 5.43 MVPA, and + 0.66 BMI). Healthier outcomes were seen after commencing use of parks (29.83 cpm, 5.25 MVPA), recreation centers (44.63 cpm) and transit (38.44 cpm, 4.17 MVPA, and − 0.56 BMI). Transit and park/recreational center uses were unrelated, although park users were more likely to be recreation center users. Active travel and use of three neighborhood PA resources relate to healthy activity and could be fostered by policy and design.