NQLS is funded by NHLBI and began in September 2001 (HL 67350). This study is a collaboration among San Diego State University (PI – Sallis), Lawrence D. Frank, Inc. (Subcontract-Frank), and the University of Cincinnati (Subcontract-Saelens). The primary aim is to document the association of objectively measured neighborhood environment characteristics (density, connectivity, mixture of land use) with physical activity. It is hypothesized that physical environment variables are independently associated with adults’ total and moderate intensity physical activity above and beyond variance explained by psychosocial (e.g., self-efficacy, social support for physical activity) and socio-demographic (e.g., age, gender, education level) variables.

NQLS is a matched-community cross-sectional observational study designed to allow comparisons between neighborhoods stratified based on their “walkability” characteristics and median household income. The study is being conducted in two metropolitan areas in the U.S. Recruitment in King County neighborhoods is now complete, with 1283 adults aged 20-65 measured. Recruitment in the Baltimore-Washington area is virtually complete with 1075 providing signed consent forms to date. Preliminary analyses have been conducted on 780 participants from King County with surveys and accelerometer data. Findings support a strong association of neighborhood environment walkability with objectively measured physical activity and self-reported walking for transportation.

NQLS Older Adults (2004-2008)

The NQLS “senior” project is funded by NHLBI and began in 2004. This study is a collaboration among Stanford University (PI – King), Lawrence D. Frank, Inc. (Subcontract-Frank), and San Diego State University (Subcontract –Sallis). The research extends the focus of the NQLS adult project by specifically targeting adults over the age of 65 years, a population that has received relatively little systematic attention in the health and transportation literatures. This study is also being conducted in 12 neighborhoods in the Seattle, WA and Baltimore, MD regions, taking advantage of the sampling, recruitment, environmental data sources and collection methodologies from the NQLS adult project. This project also expands on the NQLS adult study by exploring the impact of “micro-environmental” factors that affect the experience of pedestrians, such as presence and quality of sidewalks, intersection safety, vehicle volumes and speeds, buffering of pedestrian areas from moving vehicles, streetlights, and proximity to physical activity-supportive facilities. The neighborhood selection process and development of questionnaires for this age group is just beginning.