title: Perception of the environment and practice of physical activity by adults in a low socioeconomic area.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the association between practice of physical activity and the perception of the community environment among adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of 890 adults carried out in Ermelino Matarazzo district in São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, 2007. The dependent variables were the practice of at least 150 minutes per week in leisure time physical activity and walking for commuting. Independent variables concerned the environment, and adjustment variables were sex, age, education and length of time living in the neighborhood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variables associated with leisure time physical activity were: invitation from friends/neighbors, the presence of facilities less than ten minutes walking from the house and the absence of bars within ten minutes walking distance of the house. Public safety was associated with walking for commuting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To promote physical activity in areas of low socioeconomic status, it is fundamental to invest in public safety and facilities for physical activity, in addition to promoting social support networks.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, R. Arlindo Béttio 1000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. aflorind@usp.br
authors.forename: Alex Antonio
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Florindo
authors.forename: Emanuel Péricles
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Rodrigo Siqueira
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Vanessa Valente
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011203:Poverty; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012931:Social Environment; D055815:Young Adult