Public Open Spaces and Leisure-Time Walking in Brazilian Adults

Alex Antonio Florindo, Ligia Vizeu Barrozo, William Cabral-Miranda, Eduardo Quieroti Rodrigues, Gavin Turrell, Moisés Goldbaum, Chester Luiz Galvão Cesar and Billie Giles-Corti
Additional contact information
Alex Antonio Florindo: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Ligia Vizeu Barrozo: Department of Geography, School of Philosophy, Literature and Human Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-080, Brazil
William Cabral-Miranda: Department of Geography, School of Philosophy, Literature and Human Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-080, Brazil
Eduardo Quieroti Rodrigues: Graduate Program in Nutrition in Public Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-904, Brazil
Gavin Turrell: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne 3065, Australia
Moisés Goldbaum: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Chester Luiz Galvão Cesar: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-904, Brazil
Billie Giles-Corti: Centre for Urban Research, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Melbourne 3000, Australia

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Access to public open space is important to increase leisure-time walking (LTW) in high-income countries, but there is little evidence in middle-income countries. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to examine the relationship between LTW and the presence of different public open spaces (parks, bike paths, and squares) and the mix of these recreational destinations near the homes of adults participating in the Sao Paulo Health Survey ( n = 3145). LTW was evaluated by a questionnaire. We delineated buffers (500, 1000, and 1500 m) from the geographic coordinates of the adults’ residential addresses using a geographic information system. We used multilevel logistic regression taking account of clustering by census tracts and households, and with adjustment for social, demographics, and health characteristics. The main results showed that the presence of at least two recreational destinations within a 500-m buffer of participants’ homes were associated with an increased odds of LTW compared with no destinations present (OR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.09–2.55). No associations were found for destinations further away. These results support actions outlined in the new urban plan for Sao Paulo city and could be used to highlight the importance access to a mix of public open spaces to promote physical activity in megacities of middle-income countries.

Keywords: public open spaces; built environment; leisure-time walking; adults; Brazil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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