Health Associations with Transport-Related Physical Activity and Motorized Travel to Destinations

This study explores the relationships between health-risk indicators compared by transport-related physical activity (TPA) and motorized travel modes to two destinations. A population-representative telephone survey was conducted with adults (n = 1,989) residing in New Zealand. Those who engaged in motorized travel to place of work/study were less likely to be classified as sufficiently physically active (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.9) and normal body mass index (BMI) classification (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.9) than were respondents who engaged in TPA. No significant physical activity or BMI associations were found for convenience shop travel. TPA travel to at least the place of work/study confers physical activity and BMI health benefits in an adult population-representative sample.