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

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.