Neighborhood environments and physical activity among adults in 11 countries.
BACKGROUND
Understanding environmental correlates of physical activity can inform policy changes. Surveys were conducted in 11 countries using the same self-report environmental variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, allowing analyses with pooled data.


METHODS
The participating countries were Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China (Hong Kong), Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S., with a combined sample of 11,541 adults living in cities. Samples were reasonably representative, and seasons of data collection were comparable. Participants indicated whether seven environmental attributes were present in their neighborhood. Outcomes were measures of whether health-related guidelines for physical activity were met. Data were collected in 2002-2003 and analyzed in 2007. Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations of physical activity with environmental attributes, adjusted for age, gender, and clustering within country.


RESULTS
Five of seven environmental variables were significantly related to meeting physical activity guidelines, ranging from access to low-cost recreation facilities (OR=1.16) to sidewalks on most streets (OR=1.47). A graded association was observed, with the most activity-supportive neighborhoods having 100% higher rates of sufficient physical activity compared to those with no supportive attributes.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest neighborhoods built to support physical activity have a strong potential to contribute to increased physical activity. Designing neighborhoods to support physical activity can now be defined as an international public health issue.
Sallis
James F
JF
Active Living Research, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92103, USA. sallis@mail.sdsu.edu
Bowles
Heather R
HR
Bauman
Adrian
A
Ainsworth
Barbara E
BE
Bull
Fiona C
FC
Craig
Cora L
CL
Sjöström
Michael
M
De Bourdeaudhuij
Ilse
I
Lefevre
Johan
J
Matsudo
Victor
V
Matsudo
Sandra
S
Macfarlane
Duncan J
DJ
Gomez
Luis Fernando
LF
Inoue
Shigeru
S
Murase
Norio
N
Volbekiene
Vida
V
McLean
Grant
G
Carr
Harriette
H
Heggebo
Lena Klasson
LK
Tomten
Heidi
H
Bergman
Patrick
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000569:Americas; D002947:Cities; D003625:Data Collection; D004777:Environment; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011153:Population; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult