title: Are self-reported physical activity levels associated with perceived desirability of activity-friendly communities?
abstract: People living in activity-friendly communities (AFCs) are more active but the self-selection influence is unknown. From 4856 respondents we explored mediating variables with expressed desire to live in AFCs. Association with desire to live in AFCs included ages 18-24 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.9), African American (OR=1.9) or Hispanic (OR=1.5), and believing AFCs would support activity-based transportation (OR=2.4). Regular physical activity (PA) was marginally associated with desire to live in AFCs (OR=1.3). These findings suggest that PA may be a significant factor in communities of this style. Strategies for social marketing along with changes to the built environment to increase PA levels are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, College of Health Center for Contemporary Research, Education, and Practice, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0920, USA. John.Librett@utah.edu
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Librett
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yore
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Harold W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kohl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014481:United States