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We explored temporal associations between public greenspace and adults' mental wellbeing. Participants (n = 5,906) aged 40–65 years at baseline had data at >2 post-baseline waves of HABITAT, a multilevel longitudinal study (2007–16) in Brisbane, Australia. Participants self-reported mental wellbeing (short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) and neighbourhood self-selection reasons at Waves 2–5 (2009-11-13-16). We examined associations between Δgreenspace (within 1 km of home) and Δmental wellbeing using a linear fixed effects model, adjusting for time-varying confounders. Mental wellbeing increased (β = 1.75; 95% Confidence Interval:0.25–3.26) with greenspace exposure, adjusting for self-selection. Urban planning and policy initiatives to increase public greenspace may benefit mental wellbeing. • Exposure to more public greenspace was related to better mental wellbeing. • Neighbourhood self-selection was not associated with mental wellbeing. • Findings are based on a nine-year longitudinal study of mid-older aged adults. • Public greenspace was measured at each time point, as some participants moved. • Our fixed-effect analysis approach has strong causal inference properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined associations between changes in neighbourhood walkability and body mass index (BMI) among 1041 residents who relocated within Brisbane, Australia between 2007 and 2016 over five waves of the HABITAT study. Measures included spatially-derived neighbourhood walkability (dwelling density, street connectivity, and land use mix) and self-reported height and weight. No associations were found between any neighbourhood walkability characteristics and BMI. Examining these associations over the life course, and the impact of residential relocation in the younger years, remains a priority for future research. • We examined associations between changes in neighbourhood walkability and BMI. • Participants were 1041 relocated residents in Brisbane, Australia over 9 years. • No associations were found between neighbourhood walkability BMI. • Examining these associations over the life course is a future research priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residents of disadvantaged neighbourhoods have poorer physical function than their advantaged counterparts, although the reasons for this remain largely unknown. We examined the moderating effects of walkability in the relationship between neighbourhood disadvantage and physical function using 2013 cross-sectional data from 5115 individuals aged 46-72 living in 200 neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia. The relationship between neighbourhood disadvantage and physical function differed by levels of walkability: positive associations as levels of walkability increased for those living in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and no difference for those living in more advantaged neighbourhoods. Further work is required to better understand the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the association between neighbourhood disadvantage and obesity was moderated by quantity and quality of greenspace. The sample included 2848 mid-to-older aged adults residing in 200 neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia from the HABITAT study. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), neighbourhood disadvantage was measured using a census-derived composite index and greenspace was measured geospatially. We found evidence of moderation by park quality: lower average BMI at higher levels of park quality was shown in the Q3 rather than the Q1 (least disadvantaged) neighbourhood disadvantage group. The findings suggest that, for reducing socioeconomic inequalities in obesity, the quality of greenspace is imperative. • Examined moderating role of greenspace on neighbourhood disadvantage and obesity. • Participants were 2848 mid-older aged adults in Brisbane, Australia. • Greater park quality was associated with lower socioeconomic BMI disparities. • Greenspace alone may be insufficient to reduce socioeconomic BMI disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walking for transport is a potential solution to increasing physical activity in mid to older aged adults however neighbourhood crime may be a barrier. Using data from the How Areas in Brisbane Influence HealTh and AcTivity (HABITAT) study 2007–2016, this study examined associations between changes in crime (perceived crime and objectively measured crime) and changes in transport walking, and whether this association differed by gender. Fixed effects regression modelled associations between changes in crime and changes in transport walking, with interaction terms examining effect modification by gender. Positive associations were found between crimes against person and walking for transport. There was no evidence of effect modification by gender. Understanding the relationship between crime and walking for transport can inform policies aimed at promoting transport walking. • Fixed effects models analysed neighbourhood crime and transport walking. • Focus on mid to older aged adults. • Positive association found for crimes against person and transport walking. • The findings can inform policies aimed at promoting transport walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]