Free Bus Travel and Physical Activity, Gait Speed, and Adiposity in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

• Autores: Elizabeth Webb, Anthony A. Laverty, Jennifer Mindell, Christopher Millett
• Localización: American journal of public health, ISSN 0090-0036, Vol. 106, Nº. 1, 2016, págs. 136-142
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objectives. We investigated associations between having a bus pass, enabling free local bus travel across the United Kingdom for state pension-aged people, and physical activity, gait speed, and adiposity. Methods. We used data on 4650 bus pass-eligible people (aged ≥ 62 years) at wave 6 (2012-2013) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in regression analyses. Results. Bus pass holders were more likely to be female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38, 2.02; P<.001), retired (OR = 2.65; 95% CI = 2.10, 3.35; P< .001), without access to a car (OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.83, 4.21; P< .001), to use public transportation (OR =10.26; 95% CI = 8.33, 12.64; P<.001), and to be physically active (OR =1.43; 95% CI = 1.12, 1.84; P=.004). Female pass holders had faster gait speed (b = 0.06 meters per second; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.09; P = .001), a body mass index 1 kilogram per meter squared lower (b = -1.20; 95% CI =-1.93, -0.46; P=.001), and waist circumference 3 centimeters smaller (b = -3.32; 95% CI =-5.02, -1.62; P<.001) than women without a pass. Conclusions. Free bus travel for older people helps make transportation universally accessible, including for those at risk for social isolation. Those with a bus pass are more physically active. Among women in particular, the bus pass is associated with healthier aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]