title: Association between perceived built environmental attributes and physical activity among adults in South Africa.
abstract: To investigate the association between perceived environmental attributes and leisure-time and transport-related physical activity.
  
  
  
  This was a cross-sectional survey involving 671 South Africans aged ≥35 years from urban and rural settings. International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Neighbourhood Walkability Scale were used to collect data. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate the associations.
  
  
  
  Significant urban vs. rural differences were apparent in the distribution of most attributes of neighborhood environment. After adjusting for gender, age, setting and relevant interaction terms, proximity to local stores was significantly associated with leisure-time physical activity (OR: 4.26; 95% CI, 1.00-18.08); while proximity to transit stops (2.44; 1.48-4.02), pleasant scenery (1.93; 1.07-3.46), sidewalks (2.36; 1.25-4.44), shade from trees (2.14; 1.19-3.85), traffic (2.17; 91.21-3.91) and well-lit streets (2.01; 1.04-3.89) were significantly associated with walking for leisure. Four-way intersections (4.54; 1.54-13.43), pleasant scenery (3.84; 1.35-10.99), traffic (0.28; 0.09-0.89), sidewalks (3.75; 1.06-13.27) and crosswalks were associated with transport related physical activity. Proximity to transit stops (2.12; 1.17-3.84) and well maintained sidewalks (2.69; 2.20-10.02) were significantly associated with total physical activity. Significant interactions by setting were apparent in some of the associations.
  
  
  
  Some, but not all attributes of a neighborhood environment were significantly associated in expected directions with the three physical activity domains in this mixed urban and rural population. This study highlights the need for policy strategies aimed at improving or maintaining these perceived environmental attributes to promote physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Community and Health Sciences School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. pmalambo@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pasmore
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malambo
authors.affiliation: Non-communicable Diseases Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Andre P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kengne
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Estelle V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Non-communicable Diseases Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Anniza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Villers
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Community and Health Sciences School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thandi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puoane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Built environment; Leisure; Physical activity; South Africa; Transport; Walking