| | Neighborhood Environments and Physical Activity Among Adults in 11 CountriesBackgroundUnderstanding environmental correlates of physical activity can inform policy changes. Surveys were conducted in 11 countries using the same self-report environmental variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, allowing analyses with pooled data. MethodsThe participating countries were Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China (Hong Kong), Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S., with a combined sample of 11,541 adults living in cities. Samples were reasonably representative, and seasons of data collection were comparable. Participants indicated whether seven environmental attributes were present in their neighborhood. Outcomes were measures of whether health-related guidelines for physical activity were met. Data were collected in 2002–2003 and analyzed in 2007. Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations of physical activity with environmental attributes, adjusted for age, gender, and clustering within country. ResultsFive of seven environmental variables were significantly related to meeting physical activity guidelines, ranging from access to low-cost recreation facilities (OR=1.16) to sidewalks on most streets (OR=1.47). A graded association was observed, with the most activity–supportive neighborhoods having 100% higher rates of sufficient physical activity compared to those with no supportive attributes. ConclusionsResults suggest neighborhoods built to support physical activity have a strong potential to contribute to increased physical activity. Designing neighborhoods to support physical activity can now be defined as an international public health issue. a Active Living Research, San Diego State University, San Diego, California b Centre for Physical Activity and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia c Department of Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona d School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK e Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada f Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at Novum, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden g Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium h Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholic University, Leuven, Belgium i CELAFISCS, Sao Paulo, Brazil j Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China k Foundation FES Social, Bogota, Colombia l Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan m Department of Sport Science, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Kaunas, Lithuania n Sport and Recreation New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand o Department for Physical Activity, Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway p Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway  Address correspondence and reprint requests to: James F. Sallis, PhD, Active Living Research, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego CA 92103
PII: S0749-3797(09)00145-7 doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.031 © 2009 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | |
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