Mismatch between perceived and objective measures of physical activity environments.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the correspondence between measures of physical activity facilities obtained through self-report and objective audits; and identified the socio-demographic, cognitive and behavioral characteristics of those who perceive their physical activity environment to be less supportive than objective measures indicate.


METHODS
Self-report surveys were completed by 1540 women recruited from 45 neighborhoods in Melbourne, Australia. Women reported perceived access to physical activity facilities within 2 km from home, and also socio-demographic, cognitive and behavioral factors. Objective data on physical activity facilities within a 2 km pedestrian catchment area around women's homes were sourced.


RESULTS
There was relatively poor agreement between measures of access to physical activity facilities obtained via self-report and objective assessment. Mismatch between perceived and objectively-assessed environments was more common amongst younger and older women, and women of low income, with low self-efficacy for physical activity, who were less active, who reported using fewer facilities and who had lived in the neighborhood for less than 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies of environmental determinants of physical activity should consider incorporating objective indices of access to facilities, or accounting for the systematic bias that may result from relying on self-report perceptions as an indicator of the actual physical activity environment.
Ball
Kylie
K
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Australia. kylie.ball@deakin.edu.au
Jeffery
Robert W
RW
Crawford
David A
DA
Roberts
Rebecca J
RJ
Salmon
Jo
J
Timperio
Anna F
AF
D000328:Adult; D004779:Environment Design; D004782:Environmental Health; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria