title: Understanding the relationship between town size and physical activity levels: a population study.
abstract: Little is known about the relationship between town size and physical activity levels. A representative population sample survey was used to identify activity and environmental barrier differences between residents in diverse town sizes (n=7916). Binary logistic regression analysis identified residents in large cities (>100,000 people) were 15% less likely to be sedentary for overall activity classifications in comparison to small town dwellers (<1000 people) (OR=0.85; 95%Cl=0.74-0.99). Barriers to physical activity participation differed by town size; smaller town residents reported a higher prevalence of infrastructural barriers, whereas larger city residents cited personal constraints. Community physical activity interventions should address issues associated with town size.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1020, New Zealand. hannah.badland@aut.ac.nz
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Badland
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schofield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires