Path Analysis of Campus Walkability/Bikeability and College Students\u27 Physical Activity Attitudes, Behaviors, and Body Mass Index.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the walkability/bikeability of college campuses and students\u27 body mass index (BMI) with student physical activity (PA) attitudes and behaviors as potential mediators.DESIGN: Cross-sectional.SETTING: Thirteen university campuses.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1384 student participants.MEASURES: Walkability/bikeability environmental score (ES): 12-item audit assessed an average of 44 path segments per campus. Students were measured for height and weight and completed online surveys. Physical activity stage of change/behavior intentions were assessed using the transtheoretical model. The Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed outcome expectations, self-regulation, and personal barriers. International Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed walking-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity PA.ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, zero-order correlations, and path analysis with maximum likelihood estimation.RESULTS: The overall model fit was good with χCONCLUSIONS: The ease of walking and biking on a campus was related to college students\u27 walking behavior and their BMI. Students\u27 PA behavioral intentions were associated with moderate PA and lower BMI. These results provide evidence to focus on policies and structural supports for walkable/bikeable environments to supplement and enhance interventions encouraging individual behavior change for PA and weight management