Perceived Urban Environment Attributes and Device-Measured Physical Activity in Latin America: An 8-Nation Study

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine 2022-04, Vol.62 (4), p.635-645
• Main Authors: Ferrari, Gerson, Werneck, André O., Silva, Danilo R., Kovalskys, Irina, Gómez, Georgina, Rigotti, Attilio, Cortés, Lilia Y., García, Martha Cecilia Yépez, Liria-Domínguez, Maria R., Herrera-Cuenca, Marianella, Pratt, Michael, Marques, Adilson, Van Dyck, Delfien, Leme, Ana Carolina B., Fisberg, Mauro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Adult; Adults; Aesthetics; Attributes; Bicycles; Built Environment; Environment Design; Environmental aspects; Exercise; Health promotion; Humans; Land use; Latin America; Neighborhoods; Perceptions; Physical activity; Residence Characteristics; Safety; Sedentary; Time use; Urban areas; Urban environments; Walking
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.09.006

Attributes of the neighborhood-built environment are associated with self-reported physical activity, but only a few studies have concentrated on device-measured physical activity in Latin America. This study examines the associations of perceived neighborhood-built environment attributes, device-measured sedentary time, and light-intensity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adults from 8 Latin American countries. Data from Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud adult study, an observational multicountry study (N=2,478), were analyzed in 2020. Data were collected between 2014 and 2015. Perceived neighborhood-built environment attributes were measured using the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey. Sedentary time, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity data were collected using accelerometers. No associations between perceived neighborhood-built environment attributes and sedentary time were found. Positive perceptions of walking/cycling facilities (β=6.50, 95% CI=2.12, 10.39) were associated with more light-intensity physical activity. Perceptions of better aesthetics (Argentina) and better walking/cycling facilities (Brazil and Ecuador) were positively associated with light-intensity physical activity. Land use mix–diversity (β=0.14, 95% CI=0.03, 0.25), walking/cycling facilities (β=0.16, 95% CI=0.05, 0.27), aesthetics (β=0.16, 95% CI=0.02, 0.30), and safety from traffic (β=0.18, 95% CI=0.05, 0.24) were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Land use mix–diversity, street connectivity, and safety from traffic were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in Venezuela. These findings have implications for policy recommendations, which can guide policies to promote physical activity in the region. Land use mix–diversity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, and safety from traffic can maintain or increase the levels of light-intensity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Latin American adults.