The influence of built, natural and social environment on physical activity among adults and elderly in southern Brazil: a population-based study

Jenifer Lopes Borchardt (), Renata Gomes Paulitsch () and Samuel Carvalho Dumith ()
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Jenifer Lopes Borchardt: Federal University of Rio Grande
Renata Gomes Paulitsch: Federal University of Rio Grande
Samuel Carvalho Dumith: Federal University of Rio Grande

International Journal of Public Health, 2019, vol. 64, issue 5, No 4, 649-658

Abstract: Abstract Objectives This study investigated the association of built, natural and social environment variables with the practice of physical activity (PA) during leisure time and commuting. Methods Household interviews were carried out with a representative sample of individuals aged 18 years or older from a municipality in southern Brazil. PA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and households were georeferenced with a 500-m buffer. Results Few associations between environmental variables and PA practice were identified. Only proximity to the seafront, presence of private gyms or sports clubs and higher average monthly income of the household head were associated with the practice of PA. In addition, there were inconsistencies in the findings showing that the associations varied based on the intensity and modality of PA within the same domain. Conclusions This study provides evidence on the lack of association between objective environmental measures and the practice of PA. Although there were few significant results and the presence of inconsistencies in the findings, some environmental variables were associated with a more frequent practice of PA.

Keywords: Environment; Leisure activity; Geographic information system; Walking; Spatial analysis; Urban population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01225-0

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