Active commuting and obesity in mid-life: cross-sectional, observational evidence from UK Biobank (report)

This study of more than 150,000 UK adults aged 40 years and over revealed that those who walk, cycle or use public transport for their journey to work tend to be slimmer than commuters who travel by car.

Conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the study shows ‘robust, independent associations’ between active commuting and healthier body weight.

72,999 men and 83,667 women between the age of 40-69 years took part in the study which measured and weighed participants who completed a survey about their typical daily commute.

The results concluded that “active commuting was significantly and independently associated with reduced BMI (body mass index) and percentage body fat for both sexes”.

The study identifies cycling as the best means of keeping in shape, followed by walking. The results also show that even using public transport, with the small amounts of exercise involved, has health benefits over using a car.

Even after factoring in lifestyle choices such as diet and smoking, the study drew the same conclusions in relation to body weight.