title: Association between the perceived environment and physical activity among adults in Latin America: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Activity friendly environments have been identified as promising strategies to increase physical activity levels in the population. Associations between perceived environmental attributes and physical activity in Latin America may vary from those observed in high income countries. The objective of this systematic review is to identify which perceived environmental attributes are associated with physical activity in Latin America.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic literature search of articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish in four databases was conducted (PubMed, Virtual Health Library, EBSCO, and Web of Science). Associations with environmental attributes were analyzed separately for physical activity domains. Fifteen articles were included in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studies had cross-sectional designs. The majority of associations were statistically non-significant, and only four associations were found in the unexpected direction. Leisure-time and transport-related physical activity were the domains most frequently included in the studies and had higher number of associations in the expected direction. Leisure-time physical activity showed a convincing association in the expected direction with safety during the day. Transport-related physical activity had a convincing association with presence of street lighting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that perceived environmental attributes and their relationship with physical activity appears to be domain, and context specific. In addition, findings from this study show inconsistencies with the information gathered from high-income countries.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center in St, Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St, Louis, 660 S, Euclid Ave, St, Louis, Missouri MO 63110, USA. carangopaternina@go.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Arango
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Páez
authors.forename: Rodrigo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Ross C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Parra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D007899:Leisure Activities; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009043:Motor Activity; D010465:Perception; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety