Neighborhood disadvantage and physical activity: baseline results from the HABITAT multilevel longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between neighborhood disadvantage and physical activity (PA).


METHODS
We use data from the HABITAT multilevel longitudinal study of PA among middle-aged (40-65 years) men and women (N = 11,037, 68.5% response rate) living in 200 neighborhoods in Brisbane, Australia. PA was measured using three questions from the Active Australia Survey (general walking, moderate, and vigorous activity), one indicator of total activity, and two questions about walking and cycling for transport. The PA measures were operationalized by using multiple categories based on time and estimated energy expenditure that were interpretable with reference to the latest PA recommendations. The association between neighborhood disadvantage and PA was examined with the use of multilevel multinomial logistic regression and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. The contribution of neighborhood disadvantage to between-neighborhood variation in PA was assessed using the 80% interval odds ratio.


RESULTS
After adjustment for sex, age, living arrangement, education, occupation, and household income, reported participation in all measures and levels of PA varied significantly across Brisbane's neighborhoods, and neighborhood disadvantage accounted for some of this variation. Residents of advantaged neighborhoods reported significantly higher levels of total activity, general walking, moderate, and vigorous activity; however, they were less likely to walk for transport. There was no statistically significant association between neighborhood disadvantage and cycling for transport. In terms of total PA, residents of advantaged neighborhoods were more likely to exceed PA recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Neighborhoods may exert a contextual effect on the likelihood of residents participating in PA. The greater propensity of residents in advantaged neighborhoods to do high levels of total PA may contribute to lower rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity in these areas.
Turrell
Gavin
G
School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia. g.turrell@qut.edu.au
Haynes
Michele
M
Burton
Nicola W
NW
Giles-Corti
Billie
B
Oldenburg
Brian
B
Wilson
Lee-Ann
LA
Giskes
Katrina
K
Brown
Wendy J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011793:Queensland; D011998:Recreation / Q000191:economics; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*