RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Even though there is increasing evidence that the built environment (BE) has an influence on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), little is known about this relationship in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between objective built environment characteristics and LTPA. METHODS: A cross-sectional multilevel study was conducted in 27 neighborhoods in which 1315 adults aged 18-65 years were surveyed. An adapted version of the IPAQ (long version) was used to assess LTPA. Objective BE characteristics were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Associations were assessed using multilevel polytomous logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with inactive people, those who resided in neighborhoods with the highest tertile dedicated to parks (7.4% to 25.2%) were more likely to be regularly active (POR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-3.72; P = 0.021). Those who resided in neighborhoods with presence of TransMilenio stations (mass public transportation system) were more likely to be irregularly active (POR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.07-1.50, P = 0.009) as compared with inactive people. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that park density and availability of TransMilenio stations at neighborhood level are positively associated with LTPA. Public health efforts to address physical inactivity should consider the potential influences of urban planning and mass public transportation systems on health.
Assuntos
Planejamento Ambiental , Atividades de Lazer , Atividade Motora , Características de Residência , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Ciclismo , Colômbia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Sistemas de Informação Geográfica , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Logradouros Públicos , Meios de Transporte , Saúde da População Urbana , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that the built environment has an influence on physical activity; however, little is known about this relationship in developing countries. PURPOSE: This study examined the associations between attributes of the built environment and walking patterns among the elderly. METHODS: A multilevel cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007. Fifty neighborhoods were selected and 1966 participants aged > or =60 years were surveyed. Objective built environment measures were obtained in a buffer of 500 m using GIS. Environmental perceptions were assessed via questionnaire. RESULTS: People who lived in areas with middle park area (4.53%-7.98% of land) were more likely to walk for at least 60 minutes during a usual week (prevalence OR [POR]=1.42, 95% CI=1.02, 1.98). Those who lived in areas with the highest connectivity index (1.81-1.99) were less likely to report walking for at least 60 minutes (POR=0.64, 95% CI=0.44, 0.93). Participants who reported feeling safe or very safe from traffic were more likely to report walking for at least 60 minutes (POR=1.50, 95% CI=1.11, 2.03). The presence of Ciclovía (recreational program) was marginally associated with having walked at least 150 minutes in a usual week (POR=1.29, 95% CI=0.97, 1.73). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that certain built and perceived environment characteristics were associated with walking among older adults living in Bogotá. Further studies should be conducted to better understand the potential influence of the built environment on physical activity among the elderly population in the context of Latin American cities.