The Association of Neighborhood Design and Recreational Environments with Physical Activity
- 1 March 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in American Journal of Health Promotion
- Vol. 19 (4), 304-309
- https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-19.4.304
Abstract
Purpose. To determine the association of neighborhood design factors and recreational environments with physical activity. Methods. Randomly selected adults (n = 102, 52% female, 81% white, mean age = 48 years) completed a survey of eight neighborhood design variables, convenient recreational facilities, and availability of home equipment. Physical activity was measured by self-report and 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Results. Residential density and an overall environment index were significantly related to both vigorous-intensity self-reported (r = .35 and .28, respectively) and objectively measured physical activity (r = .39 and .23, respectively). Home equipment was correlated with self-reported total (r = .34) and vigorous leisure-time physical activity (r = .27). The vigorous and total activity accelerometer measures were correlated with street connectivity (r = .25 and .21, respectively). Discussion. Few self-reported neighborhood design factors and recreational environment variables were correlated with physical activity, and some findings were unexpected.Keywords
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