title: Relations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity.
abstract: Studies have examined associations between environmental features and physical activity, but there has been no exploration of adult perceptions about the influence environmental features have on physical activity. This study assessed associations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity. 305 women and 229 men (18-91 years of age) were interviewed in their homes. Questions elicited self-report data on physical activities they performed in their neighborhood (sidewalks near home) and perceptions about neighborhood environmental features. Women (86.4%) were more likely than men (79.3%) to be active in their neighborhoods and view the features as influential. The influences features were perceived to have on physical activity were associated with activity performed in the neighborhood, but perceptions of the conditions of features were not. Interviewers of adults about relationships between environmental features and physical activity should consider perceptions about the influence the feature exerts on activity levels.
authors.affiliation: The Office of Community Health Research, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 454 SEP, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA. rsuminski@kcumb.edu
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Suminski
authors.affiliation: The Office of Community Health Research, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 454 SEP, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.affiliation: The Office of Community Health Research, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 454 SEP, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA.
authors.forename: Carlene A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mayfield
authors.affiliation: The Office of Community Health Research, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 454 SEP, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McClain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001642:Bicycling / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007590:Jogging / Q000523:psychology; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009043:Motor Activity; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014796:Visual Perception; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult