261715 Associations between the social and physical environment in relation to physical activity

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

Vicki Johnson-Lawrence, MS, PhD , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Shannon N. Zenk, PhD , College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Amy J. Schulz, PhD , School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Barbara A. Israel, DrPH , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Zachary Rowe, BBA , Friends of Parkside, Detroit, MI
Background: Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of multiple chronic diseases. Characteristics of both the physical and social environments of neighborhoods are associated with physical activity levels among adults. However, few studies have examined whether the social environment may moderate relationships between the physical environmental and physical activity. Methods: Using data collected by the Health Environments Partnership, a community based participatory research partnership in Detroit, Michigan, this study used multilevel regression models to test whether social environment conditions moderate the effect of physical environmental conditions in relation to physical activity in a sample of 845 White, Black, and Hispanic adults aged 25 and older. Measures of the social environment included both observed (territoriality) and perceived (social incivilities, sense of community, neighborhood safety) measures. Physical environment included both observed (activity friendliness) and perceived (maintenance of lots, streets, and sidewalks) measures. Results: Results suggested that residents of neighborhoods with higher territoriality scores who reported fewer social incivilities were more physically active. In contrast residents of neighborhoods with higher territoriality scores who reported more positive physical environments reported less physical activity. Conclusions: Together, these findings suggest the importance of understanding the joint effects of social and physical environments in shaping physical activity. Additional research investigating the independent and joint relationships between territoriality, physical and social environmental indicators, and physical activity is warranted.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of the physical and social neighborhood environment on physical activity. 2. Demonstrate interactions between the physical and social neighborhood environment with regard to physical activity levels among residents. 3. Differentiate between observed and perceived indicators of the neighborhood for potential impact on physical activity levels among residents.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a research scientisti that is interested in determining the role of the environment on health outcomes of the population. Further, I am an epidemiologist and biostatistician with an interest in reducing the burden of chronic health conditions in the US population.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.