The Relationship between Physical Activity of Active Transport and Characteristics among Residents in Regional Thailand

Abstract

The health benefits of physical activity are linked to active transport. The Thai Walking and Cycling Institute has implemented a project to promote walking and bicycle use in daily life in many provinces since 2017. This study aimed to identify the association between local demographic characteristics (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), education, occupation, and income), and the effects of physical activity from active transport. This was done in three purposive selected sites namely, 1) King Taksin Community, Chachoengsao, 2) Suksabaijai Community, Kalasin, and 3) Ban Thatsobvan Community, Phayao. A cross-sec­tional study was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was randomly distributed via community leaders. Multivariate Poisson regression was performed. The average amount of active transport energy expenditure in three communities at 180 metabolic equivalent task-minutes/week contributed to 30% of the World Health Organization’s recommended physical ac­tivity levels. Being female, overweight or obese, higher educational attainment, higher income, and of­fice-based employee had a significantly reduced chance of having higher energy from active transport than their counterparts. While being older and living in optimal size community and near the city center had significantly raised chance of having higher energy from active transport. Interventions for active transport promotion should be more attractive and appropriate to all demographics and contexts. In addition, the policy should aim not only at individual lifestyle modification but also at re-shaping the physical environments that facilitate active transport.