Abstract 11906: Association Between Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity in Adults With Cardiovascular Disease in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying attributes of the built environment that influence an individual’s adherence to recommended physical activity (PA) levels can inform cardiovascular-healthy urban-planning policies. However, no research has examined whether perceived neighborhood environment characteristics are associated with this among adults with CVD. Methods: Cross-sectional study using 2020 data from the National Health Interview Survey, which included 3191 adults with CVD. Perceived walkability and safety barriers were captured from 9 questions on participants’ feelings about the neighborhood’s safety and amenities to allow for walking. Meeting PA recommendation was evaluated based on 2012 ACC/AHA guidelines for individuals with stable CVD based on the self-reported measures of activity (Figure). Adjusted logistic models were created to evaluate the association of perceived walkability and safety with the odds of achieving PA goals. Results: In the study population, 36.8% met the overall PA guideline, of whom 7% met only strength activity, 19.5% met only aerobic activity, and 10.3% met both. Men were more likely to meet PA guidelines (42.5% vs. 29.2%) than women. In adjusted weighted analysis, having roads for a walk (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.23-2.36), fun places such as parks, theatres, and libraries to walk near the living area (OR 1.43, 95%CI 1.08-1.89), and places to walk for relaxing and reducing stress (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.10-1.95) were strongly associated with meeting PA recommendations. Conclusions: In adults with CVD, the neighborhood environment characteristics strongly associated with adherence to PA recommendations were the presence of places to walk for fun and relaxation. Although residual confounding is a possibility, our findings suggest that investing in social determinants by developing communities with amenities such as parks might help encourage physical activity for cardiovascular health.