Increasing active travel through walking, biking, and public transport, is promoted as a key strategy to increase physical activity and reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases globally. However, not much is known about any associated cardiovascular health benefits in low-
and middle-income countries. This was a cross-sectional study of 3902 participants in the Indian Migration Study. Associations between mode
and duration of active travel and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using random-effect logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, caste, standard of living, occupation, factory location, leisure time physical activity, daily fat intake, smoking status, and alcohol use. The prevalence of overweight or obesity was 50.0%, 37.6%, 24.2%, 24.9%; hypertension was 17.7%, 11.8%, 6.5%, 9.8%; and diabetes was 10.8%, 7.4%, 3.8%, 7.3% in participants who travelled to work by private transport, public transport, bicycling, and walking respectively. Those walking or bicycling to work were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese and those travelling by private transport. Those bicycling to work were less likely to have hypertension or diabetes. There was a dose-response relationship between duration of bicycling to work and these health factors. PLoS Med. 2013 June. PMID: 23776412
