Assessment and Countermeasures of the Impact of Travel Patterns on Obesity Problems of Urban Residents

Abstract

The current diversification of residents' travel patterns suggests a potential correlation between residents' obesity issues and travel modes. In this study, we selected 93 streets in the central urban area of Wuhan and considered residents' walking, cycling, public transportation travel, and car travel as research variables. The body mass index (BMI) was utilized as an indicator of residents' obesity and overweight levels. Both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models were employed to statistically examine the impact of these four travel modes on residents' obesity and overweight issues. Based on the above analysis, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) In the four typical transportation travel modes of walking, cycling, public transportation travel and car travel of the residents of each street in the city, the distance of walking, cycling and public transportation travel is negatively correlated with the obesity and overweight problems of the residents, in which the distance of public transportation travel is the least obvious than walking and cycling, while the distance of car travel is positively correlated with the obesity and overweight problems of the residents. (2) The density of public transportation stations was positively correlated with residents' obesity and overweight levels. Moreover, the density of public transportation stations also influenced the relationship between travel modes and residents' obesity and overweight issues. In areas with higher coverage of public transportation stations, there was a stronger correlation between public transportation and car travel distances and residents' obesity and overweight problems. In areas with lower coverage of public transportation stations, the correlation between walking, cycling distances and residents' obesity and overweight issues was more significant. (3) There were significant differences in the distribution of obesity levels among residents in different regions of Wuhan. It is important to note that further research and analysis are necessary to validate the findings and better understand the complex relationship between travel modes and residents' obesity and overweight issues in urban areas.