• Christine M Hoehner, Carolyn E Barlow, Peg Allen, and Mario Schootman.
• Division of Public Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8100, St. Louis MO 63110, USA. hoehnerc@wudosis.wustl.edu
• Am J Prev Med. 2012 Jun 1; 42 (6): 571578571-8.

BackgroundLimited evidence exists on the metabolic and cardiovascular risk correlates of commuting by vehicle, a habitual form of sedentary behavior.PurposeTo examine the association between commuting distance, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and metabolic risk indicators.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 4297 adults who had a comprehensive medical examination between 2000 and 2007 and geocoded home and work addresses in 12 Texas metropolitan counties. Commuting distance was measured along the road network. Outcome variables included weekly MET-minutes of self-reported physical activity, CRF, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and continuously measured metabolic syndrome. Outcomes were also dichotomized using established cut-points. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol intake, family history of diabetes, and history of high cholesterol, as well as BMI and weekly MET-minutes of physical activity and CRF (for BMI and metabolic risk models). Analyses were conducted in 2011.ResultsCommuting distance was negatively associated with physical activity and CRF and positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and continuous metabolic score in fully adjusted linear regression models. Logistic regression analyses yielded similar associations; however, of the models with metabolic risk indicators as outcomes, only the associations with elevated blood pressure remained significant after adjustment for physical activity and CRF.ConclusionsCommuting distance was adversely associated with physical activity, CRF, adiposity, and indicators of metabolic risk.Copyright © 2012 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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