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• Among the first natural experiment studies to assess the causal influence of greenspace on people's BMI. • Both men and women in the treatment group experienced a minor BMI reduction after intervention. • Mediation pathways between the greenspace intervention and BMI change were gender specific. Access to public greenspaces is assumed to influence peoples' body weight. However, causal evidence on this topic is limited, especially in developing countries. Using natural experiment approach, this study assessed 1) to what extent peoples' body mass index (BMI) changed following a greenway intervention, and 2) potential gender disparities in both direct effects and underlying mediating pathways linking greenway exposure and BMI changes. Baseline and follow-up survey data on 1,020 adults were collected before and after the completion of East Lake greenway in Wuhan, China. Participants were split into treatment and control groups based on a 2 km threshold distance from housing estates to the greenway. Difference-in-difference (DID) estimations and structural equation models were used to assess the effects and pathways between the greenway intervention and BMI changes. The results showed that treatment group experienced a minor BMI reduction, while the BMI increased in the control group. DID models indicated that the effects of the greenway intervention on BMI changes are significant for both men and women. We also found distinct mediating mechanisms across gender. Changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mediated the association between the greenway intervention and a reduction in BMI among men, while mental health changes mediated the association for women. Our findings provided compelling evidence that exposure to greenway prevents body weight increase and strengthened the rationale for green infrastructure investments to enhance public health in high-density cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Among one of the first studies on causal inference of greenway intervention and walking behaviors. • Significantly positive effect of greenway infrastructure on weekly walking time. • Residents living within two kilometers from the greenway had increased weekly walking time. • Women and socioeconomically disadvantaged people benefited most from the greenway. Extensive evidence from cross-sectional studies has revealed a positive link between greenspace access and walking behaviors. However, the inherent weaknesses of the cross-sectional research design have provided little causal inference. In this natural experimental study, we assessed the effects of a large-scale greenway intervention (i.e., the opening of East Lake greenway) on walking behaviors in Wuhan, China. Longitudinal survey data on 1,020 participants were collected before and after the intervention in 2016 and 2019, respectively. The results of the mixed-effect difference-in-difference (DID) models showed that the greenway intervention had a significantly positive effect on the walking time, especially for residents living within two kilometers from the greenway. Furthermore, women and socio-economically disadvantaged people benefited most from the greenway implementation regarding walking time. Our findings provided compelling evidence that public investment in transportation infrastructure (e.g., greenway) effectively promotes walking behaviors and mitigates social inequities in physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a component of both urban transport infrastructures and green spaces, urban greenways play a vital role in connecting urban public spaces, promoting active travel, and facilitating population-level health outcomes. Recently, there has been considerable interest in illustrating the determinants of greenway use in various contexts. Nevertheless, most studies have failed to identify the different aspects of greenway use. Meanwhile, the potential significance of residential neighborhood environments in utilizing greenways has largely been overlooked. In this study, we analyzed data collected from 1020 residents living around the East Lake Greenway in Wuhan, China, to discern three aspects of greenway use: frequency, time, and intensity. In addition, we investigated the moderate effect of neighborhood environmental characteristics on the association between greenway proximity and different aspects of use. After controlling for covariates, multi-level regression models showed that greenway proximity and neighborhood environmental characteristics were significantly associated with greenway use, while the specific associations varied across different aspects of greenway use. Furthermore, proportion of residential land, floor area ratio, and street connectivity moderated the relationship between greenway proximity and greenway use. In summary, the findings of this study contributed to the planning and management of greenways in high-density cities. • Among one of the first studies that distinguished different aspects of greenway use (e.g., frequency, time, and intensity). • We extended the influence of residential neighborhood environment on greenway use. • We investigated the moderate effect of neighborhood characteristics on the association between greenway proximity and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]