Recreational facilities and leisure-time physical activity: An analysis of moderators and self-efficacy as a mediator.
OBJECTIVE
To examine socio-demographic and psychosocial moderators, and self-efficacy as a mediator of the cross-sectional relationships between having access to recreational facilities and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA); to investigate the extent to which the environment-LTPA associations could be explained by self-selection to neighborhoods.


METHODS
A two-stage stratified sampling design was used to recruit 2,650 adults (aged 20-65) from 32 urban communities varying in walkability and socioeconomic status. Participants reported perceived access to facilities and home equipment for LTPA, weekly minutes of LTPA, self-efficacy for and enjoyment of LTPA, reasons for neighborhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics.


METHODS
Self-reported recreational walking and other forms of moderate-to-vigorous LTPA expressed in MET-minutes.


RESULTS
Specific types of recreational facilities were independently associated with LTPA. Age, education, being overweight/obese, reasons for neighborhood selection, enjoyment of, and self-efficacy for LTPA moderated these relationships. Self-efficacy was not a significant mediator of these cross-sectional associations.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings have potentially significant implications for the planning of environmental interventions aimed at increasing population-level LTPA particularly in those who are less attitudinally inclined to being physically active.
Cerin
Ester
E
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. ecerin@hku.hk
Vandelanotte
Corneel
C
Leslie
Eva
E
Merom
Dafna
D
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011633:Public Facilities; D011998:Recreation; D020377:Self Efficacy