exclude household chores. This is especially relevant in developing countries, where household chores can involve significant physical activity.) Physical environment features—the absence or poor quality of sidewalks, parks, nearby destinations, etc—are one possible source of inactivity in developing
Search Results
Physical Environment Correlates of Physical Activity in Developing Countries: A Review
Kristen Day
Associations Between Social and Physical Environments and Older Adults’ Walking for Transportation and Recreation
Ka Man Leung and Pak-Kwong Chung
engagement in health behaviors, such as physical activity and walking. The model highlights the dynamic interactions between the individual environment (sociodemographic variables including education, gender, and age), social environment (e.g., social support), physical environment (natural and built
Active Transportation: The Role of Parent Attitude, The Physical Environment, and Social Capital
Allison Ross, Ja Youn Kwon, Pamela Hodges Kulinna, and Mark Searle
responsibility in children, 24 , 25 which could lead to parents entrusting their children to walk or bike. Physical Environment Distance from school has been reported as a key barrier, while shorter distances have been reported as facilitators of ATS. 20 , 21 , 26 – 31 In fact, children who live within 0.5 to
Parental Perception of the Social and Physical Environment Contributes to Gender Inequalities in Children’s Screen Time
Daniela Rodrigues, Helena Nogueira, Augusta Gama, Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues, Maria-Raquel G. Silva, Vítor Rosado-Marques, and Cristina Padez
Neighborhood Environments Fifteen items measuring aspects of the perceived social and physical environment from the Environmental Module of the International Physical Activity Prevalence Study questionnaire 28 were included as independent variables. Parents were asked to express their perception of the
Perceptions of Group-Based Walks and Strategies to Inform the Development of an Intervention in Retirement Villages: Perspectives of Residents and Village Managers
Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Nikos Ntoumanis, Hannah Uren, Afroditi Stathi, Catrina Wold, and Keith D. Hill
The aim of the current study was to explore perceptions of group-based walking and gather suggestions to inform the development of a group-based walking intervention among older adults in retirement villages. Twenty-four physically inactive residents (16 female, 8 male; age range: 69–88) and four managers from four retirement villages were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis revealed six broad themes: lack of motivation, values versus constraints, fears and confidence, need for structure, creating a sense of belonging, and the physical environment as a double-edged sword. Proposed intervention strategies included using trained walk leaders, using small groups, planning for flexibility, setting attainable goals, creating a routine, creating opportunities for sharing experiences, and planning a variety of walks. Group-based walking programs may be used to promote physical activity but careful planning of such programs is needed to make them appealing and feasible to a diverse group of residents.
Bridging the Built and Social Environments: A Systematic Review of Studies Investigating Influences on Physical Activity
Tyler Prochnow, Laurel S. Curran, Christina Amo, and Meg S. Patterson
“sedentary”) AND (“built” OR “environment” OR “built environment” OR “physical environment” OR “parks” OR “urban design” OR “rural design” OR “planning” OR “design” OR “streets” OR “infrastructure” OR “open spaces” OR “zoning” OR “streetscapes” OR “transit” OR “complete street” OR “safe route*” OR “objective
Factors Influencing the Physical Activity of Older Adults in Long-Term Care: Administrators’ Perspectives
Kathleen Benjamin, Nancy Edwards, and Wenda Caswell
In 2006, the authors conducted a multisite qualitative study in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to examine organizational and environmental factors that influence physical activity for long-term-care (LTC) residents. The article describes the results of interviews with 9 administrators from nonprofit and for-profit LTC facilities. A content analysis revealed that despite having positive views about the value of physical activity, the administrators encountered challenges related to funding, human resources, and the built (physical) environment. The intersection of staffing issues and challenges in the built environment created less than optimal conditions for physical activity programs. Findings suggest that until there are adequate human and financial resources, it will be difficult to implement evidence-informed physical activity programs for residents in LTC settings in Ontario. A review of provincial LTC standards for physical activity program requirements and the built environment is warranted.
The Effects of Signage and the Physical Environment on Stair Usage
Tim Bungum, Mindy Meacham, and Nicole Truax
Background:
Physical activity (PA) is a health behavior that most Americans do not participate in at recommended levels.
Methods:
We sought to increase PA by use of motivational signs in selected buildings. Because physical environments are known to influence PA, the relationship of building characteristics and stair usage was also assessed. One pre- and two post-intervention observations were conducted.
Results:
The proportion of those using the stairs increased from baseline to the second data collection, (χ2 = 39.31, p < 0.01) and baseline to a final data collection (χ2 = 10.1, p < 0.01). Built environment factors, including steps to the next higher floor and the number of floors in the building were consistent predictors of stair use. With signs positioned, the visibility of the stairs while standing in front of elevators became a significant predictor of stair usage.
Conclusions:
Motivational signs and characteristics of built environments are associated with increased stair usage.
Examining Whether Physical Activity Location Choices Were Associated With Weekly Physical Activity Maintenance Across 13 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Emerging Adults
Li Yi, Shirlene D. Wang, Daniel Chu, Aditya Ponnada, Stephen S. Intille, and Genevieve F. Dunton
long-term effects of physical environments (eg, location choices) on PA behaviors in emerging adults in this extended pandemic. To fill the above-mentioned gap, using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) survey data collected from 18 to 29 year olds in the US between May 2020 and June 2021, we aim to
Measuring Physical Environments of Parks and Playgrounds: EAPRS Instrument Development and Inter-Rater Reliability
Brian E. Saelens, Lawrence D. Frank, Christopher Auffrey, Robert C. Whitaker, Hillary L. Burdette, and Natalie Colabianchi
Background:
Reliable and comprehensive measurement of physical activity settings is needed to examine environment-behavior relations.
Methods:
Surveyed park professionals (n = 34) and users (n = 29) identified park and playground elements (e.g., trail) and qualities (e.g., condition). Responses guided observational instrument development for environmental assessment of public recreation spaces (EAPRS). Item inter-rater reliability was evaluated following observations in 92 parks and playgrounds. Instrument revision and further reliability testing were conducted with observations in 21 parks and 20 playgrounds.
Results:
EAPRS evaluates trail/path, specific use (e.g., picnic), water-related, amenity (e.g., benches), and play elements, and their qualities. Most EAPRS items had good-excellent reliability, particularly presence/number items. Reliability improved from the original (n = 1088 items) to revised (n = 646 items) instrument for condition, coverage/shade, and openness/visibility items. Reliability was especially good for play features, but cleanliness items were generally unreliable.
Conclusions:
The EAPRS instrument provides comprehensive assessment of parks’ and playgrounds’ physical environment, with generally high reliability.
