Online Program

331782
Residents' Neighborhood Perceptions and their Relation to Health Behaviors and General Health: Evidence from a Micropolitan Community in Iowa


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Christine Morris, MA, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Amy Schumacher, MS, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Erin Foster, BS, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Barbara Baquero, PhD, MPH, Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
Edith A. Parker, DrPH, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, The University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
Residents’ perceptions of their neighborhood built environments are known to affect dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors and overall general health. This study explored the relationships between dietary behaviors, PA, neighborhood perceptions, and general health in residents of an Iowa micropolitan community.

The UI Prevention Research Center and partners conducted a random-digit dialed phone survey in 2013 that assessed demographics, health behaviors, general health, and neighborhood perceptions (social cohesion, aesthetics, safety, walkability, food environment, violence). Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted.  Regression models were adjusted for covariates (α=0.05). 

Half of the sample met PA recommendations and 45% reported excellent or very good health. On average, 3 servings of fruits and vegetables (F/V) were consumed per day and 77.6% consumed fast food. Increased fast food consumption was associated with a worse perceived food environment and more perceived neighborhood violence. Increased F/V consumption and more PA were both associated with a better perception of neighborhood walkability. Lastly, better general health was associated with more PA, less perceived neighborhood violence, and better perceived neighborhood aesthetics.

The results of this study indicate an association between respondents’ neighborhood perceptions, health behaviors, and general health. While previous studies have found associations between dietary and PA behaviors and the built environment in larger urban areas, this is one of the first to show this relationship in a smaller micropolitan community. These findings suggest the importance of considering the built and social environments in intervention and policy design for dietary and physical activity programming.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the impact of neighborhood perceptions on health behaviors and general health. Discuss opportunities for intervention and policy implementation to promote increased F/V and PA. Discuss potential points of intervention and policy development to improve neighborhood conditions.

Keyword(s): Community-Based Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a doctoral student in Community and Behavioral Health. I have coursework and research experience related to health disparities. I have a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
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.