The association of perceived and objective built environment features with physical activity, adiposity and blood glucose
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes are major public health problems and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a number one cause of death globally.There is growing evidence to link built environment (BE) with physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes.However, published studies mostly focused on the macro-environment; perceived or objective BE measures; and self-reported rather than objectively assessed adiposity.There is also a lack of investigation of metabolic risk factors and lack of consideration for distinct demographic and socio-economic groups.Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore the associations of both perceived and objective BE measures with distinct domains of physical activity (PA), objectively measured adiposity and fasting blood glucose (FBG); and to investigate the differences in environmental perceptions and the agreement between perceived and objective BE features based on gender, income level and ethnicity.Adults (n=356) between the ages of 35 and 70 years, from high-(median household income >$75,000) and low-income (<$55,000) areas in Vancouver were assessed for socio-demographics, PA (reported), adiposity (measured; body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and percentage of body fat), FBG, and environmental perceptions (Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale).Neighbourhoods, a 500-meter buffer around a participant's home, were directly assessed using the Irvine Minnesota Inventory (122 BE features).The study results indicate that more objective than perceived BE features were associated with PA; and associations were strongest for transportation PA followed with overall walking.Greatest effects were observed for features related to safety from traffic and presence of sidewalks.Associations of BE features with adiposity and FBG were limited.Additionally, environmental perceptions and the agreement between perceived and objective BE measures differed across gender, ethnicity, and income.The results suggest that improving pedestrian infrastructure and increasing safety from traffic may help residents engage more in transport PA and overall walking.Observed differences in BE perceptions may be used to direct the development of public health interventions aimed at increasing awareness about facilities in the neighbourhood whereby special consideration should be given to ethnic minorities and residents from low-income neighbourhoods.vi
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Danijela Gasevic
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1944061054