Table 1 Sources and descriptions of neighbourhood environmental characteristics data

Urban/rural category

CAU ranking 1 to 4, where 1 = most urban

Statistics New Zealand (2006)

Min = 1, 25^th percentile = 1, Mean = 1.4, Median = 1, 75^th percentile = 1, Max = 4

Area-level deprivation (NZDep)

NZDep 2006 quintiles for meshblocks, where 1 = least deprived

Salmond (2006) [32]

Min = 1, 25^th percentile = 2, Mean = 3.2, Median = 3, 75^th percentile = 5, Max = 5

Accessibility of useable greenspace

Proportion of meshblock consisting of useable greenspace, as qunitles where 1 = best access

Richardson (2005) [33]

Min = 1, 25^th percentile = 2, Mean = 2.9, Median = 3, 75^th percentile =4, Max = 5

Accessibility of food outlets

Distance from meshblock population-weighted centroid to nearest outlet (supermarkets, fast-food outlets, convenience stores), as quintiles where 1 = nearest

Territorial Authorities (2005) [34]

Min =1, 25^th percentile = 2, Mean = 2.8, Median = 3, 75^th percentile = 4, Max = 5

Accessibility of sports/leisure facilities

Distance from population-weighted centroid of meshblock to nearest gym, pool, karate, recreation centre, as quintiles where 1 = nearest (excludes biking/hiking trails)

ACC Pool Safety (2005) [35]

Min = 1, 25^th percentile = 2, Mean = 2.8, Median = 3, 75^th percentile = 4, Max = 5

Percentage active transport to work

Proportion of CAU adult residents who walk, bus or cycle to work, as quintiles, where 1 = least

Statistics New Zealand (2006)

Min = 1, 25^th percentile = 2, Mean = 3, Median = 3, 75^th percentile = 4, Max = 5