Perception of the environment and leisure-time physical activity in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association between leisure-time physical activity and perception of the environment in the elderly.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study performed with 385 elderly individuals aged 60 years or older, living in the district of Ermelino Matarazzo, in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2007. The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, in addition to specific questions for the study, was used to assess leisure-time physical activity. Assessment of the environment was performed using a perception scale adapted from the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. For statistical analysis, multiple logistic regression models were stratified by sex and controlled by level of education. The cut-off point of 150 minutes of physical activity per week was used to classify individuals who were active during leisure time.


RESULTS
The proportion of elderly individuals active during leisure time was 15.2% (19.1% and 12.5% for men and women, respectively). Presence of sports courts (OR=2.95), banks (OR=3.82) and health clinics (OR=3.60), good perception of safety during the day (OR=4.21) and invitation from friends to exercise (OR=3.13) were associated with leisure-time physical activity in men. Presence of churches or religious temples (OR=5.73), gyms (OR=2.49) and squares (OR=3.63) were associated with leisure-time physical activity in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Programs to promote physical activities for the elderly population must consider the variables associated with public and private structures (gyms, squares, sports courts, health clinics and banks), places where there are social gatherings (churches), social support (invitation from friends to exercise) and perception of safety.
Salvador
Emanuel Péricles
EP
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Luiz Alberto Martins 240, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. emanuelps@usp.br
Florindo
Alex Antonio
AA
Reis
Rodrigo Siqueira
RS
Costa
Evelyn Fabiana
EF
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010465:Perception; D012449:Safety; D017678:Sex Distribution