Cross-Sectional Associations of Neighborhood Perception, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time in Community-Dwelling, Socioeconomically Diverse Adults
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Little is known about the role of perceived neighborhood environment as a determinant of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in understanding obesity-related health behaviors. We focus on a biracial, socioeconomically diverse population using objectively measured ST, which is under-represented in the literature. Methods: We examined the association between self-reported neighborhood perception (Likert-scale questions), PA using the Baecke questionnaire, and both non-sedentary time and ST using accelerometry from wave 4 of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (n=2167). After applying exclusion criteria, the sample size was n=1359 for analyses of self-reported PA and n=404 for analyses of accelerometry data. Factor analysis identified key neighborhood characteristics to develop a total neighborhood perception score (NPS). Higher NPS indicated less favorable neighborhood perception. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between NPS, PA, non-sedentary time, and ST. Results: Complete data were available for n=1359 (age 56.6(9.0) years, 59.5% female, 62.2% African American) for whom we identified four neighborhood perception factors: 1) concern about crime 2) physical environment, 3) location of violent crime, and 4) social environment. Worsening perception of the overall neighborhood [β=-0.13(SE=0.03); p=0.001], the physical environment [-0.11(0.05); p=0.03], and the social environment [-0.46(0.07); p<0.0001] were associated with decreased PA. Worsening perception of the overall neighborhood [1.14(0.49); p=0.02] and neighborhood social environment [3.59(1.18); p=0.003] were associated with increased ST over the day. There were no interactions for race, sex, poverty status, or economic index. Conclusion: Poor overall neighborhood perception, perceived social environment, and perceived neighborhood physical environment are associated with PA and ST in a multi-racial, socioeconomically diverse cohort of urban adults.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Funders: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Colgate-Palmolive Company, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Genentech, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NHLBI Division of Intramural Research
Awards: Health disparities in cognitive performance across the life span, Changes in Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation, Obesity and Diabetes, G5901846789, G7687733789, Tailoring Mobile Health Technology to Reduce Obesity and ImproveCardiovascular Health in Resource-Limited Neighborhood Environments: A Multi-Level, Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention, Cardiovascular Health and Needs Assessment in Washington D.C.
OpenAlex ID: W2969958184