Nutritional and metabolic benefits associated with active and public transport: Results from the Chilean National Health Survey, ENS 2016–2017

• Published in: Journal of transport & health 2020-06, Vol.17, p.100819, Article 100819
• Main Authors: Passi-Solar, Álvaro, Margozzini, Paula, Cortinez-O’Ryan, Andrea, Muñoz, Juan C., Mindell, Jennifer S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active transport; Anthropometry; Biomarkers; National Health survey; Public transport; Transport mode
• ISSN: 2214-1405; 2214-1413
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.100819

Physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors for death worldwide. There is a paucity of studies about the association between transport and objective health measures using nationally representative samples worldwide, especially from Latin American countries. The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between active transportation and objective health measures in Chile. We analysed the Chilean National Health Survey (ENS) 2016–2017, based on a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalised adults aged ≥15 years (n = 6,113). ENS included anthropometric measures (weight, height, waist circumference), a specific question about the main mode of transportation and several metabolic markers. 41%, 38% and 21% of participants used public transport, motor vehicles and active (cycling and walking) transport respectively. Higher levels of active transport were observed in males, younger groups, less educated and rural populations. Both active and public transport were associated with multiple nutritional and metabolic benefits such as lower BMI, lower waist circumference, less obesity, higher vitamin D, lower cholesterol and lower hepatic inflammation. Associations persisted after adjusting for other healthy lifestyles. Stronger benefits were observed in males than in females. Promoting active transportation in urban planning policies may help Chile tackle the growing burden of chronic diseases. La inactividad física es uno de los principales factores de riesgo de muerte en todo el mundo. Hay una escasez de estudios sobre la asociación entre el transporte y las medidas objetivas de salud utilizando muestras representativas a nivel nacional en todo el mundo, especialmente de países latinoamericanos. El objetivo de esta investigación es explorar la relación entre el transporte activo y las medidas de salud objetivas en Chile. Analizamos la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de Chile (ENS) 2016–2017, basada en una muestra representativa a nivel nacional de adultos no institucionalizados con edades ≥15 años (n = 6.113). ENS incluyó medidas antropométricas (peso, altura, circunferencia de la cintura), una pregunta específica sobre el modo principal de transporte y varios marcadores metabólicos. 41%, 38% y 21% de los participantes usaron transporte público, vehículos de motor y transporte activo (ciclismo y caminata) respectivamente. Se observaron niveles más altos de transporte activo en hombres, grupos más jóvenes, poblaciones menos educadas y rural