Health-Related Factors Associated with Mode of Travel to Work

Abstract EN

Active commuting (AC) to the workplace is a potential strategy for incorporating physical activity into daily life and is associated with health benefits.

This study examined the association between health-related factors and mode of travel to the workplace.

Methods.

A volunteer convenience sample of employed adults completed an online survey regarding demographics, health-related factors, and the number of times/week walking, biking, driving, and using public transit to work (dichotomized as no walk/bike/drive/PT and walk/bike/drive/PT 1 + x/week).

Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of each mode of transport and meeting PA recommendations from AC according to demographics and health-related factors.

Results.

The sample (n=1175) was aged 43.5 ± 11.4 years and was primarily White (92.7%) and female (67.9%).

Respondents reported walking (7.3%), biking (14.4%), taking public transit (20.3%), and driving (78.3%) to work at least one time/week.

Among those reporting AC, 9.6% met PA recommendations from AC alone.

Mode of travel to work was associated with several demographic and health-related factors, including age, number of chronic diseases, weight status, and AC beliefs.

Discussion.

Mode of transportation to the workplace and health-related factors such as disease or weight status should be considered in future interventions targeting AC.