Are transit-adjacent developments effective neighborhood design models to help meet the recommended weekly physical activity levels? The case of Abu Dhabi

Physical activity (PA) plays a critical role in mitigating the risk of developing a wide range of health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, some types of cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to assess the impact of TADs on physical activity levels for transportation, recreational and the total combined physical activity in Abu Dhabi using survey responses from residents of 14 TADs. Spatial and statistical analysis was conducted using Independent t-tests and binary regression models. Results reveal that the average total weekly physical activity time was 380 minutes for TAD residents, which is approximately 250% higher than the minimum recommended by the WHO. About 78% of the survey participants reported doing more than 150 minutes/week of PA. However, when analyzed for transportation and recreation physical activities, about 29% and 39% of respondents achieved the recommended physical activity (RPA). The effects of determinants on transportation, recreation, and total physical activity were analyzed for individuals who achieved the RPA using binomial regression analysis. Residents of TADs in Abu Dhabi were found to achieve adequate levels of physical activity, higher than the average of all residents of Abu Dhabi, which was reported to be below 150 minutes a week. As a consequence, the replacement of the existing sprawled neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi by more transit-adjacent, compact, diverse, and better-connected neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi City may help to increase the overall physical activity.