Abstract MP18: Vicarious Experience Trumps Neighborhood Characteristics in Predicting Leisure-time Physical Activity in the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Dataset

Abstract

Background: Social cognitive theory (SCT) postulates that observing similar others succeed (vicarious experience) can improve self-efficacy and motivate action. The utility of vicarious experience has been demonstrated in controlled laboratory and clinical settings, but its operationalization and applicability for promoting physical activity (PA) in community settings remains unknown. Characterizing vicarious experiences and other neighborhood factors that are associated with improved PA in the community could help enhance exercise self-efficacy and PA. This secondary analysis examines neighborhood factors that predict leisure-time PA during exam 5 of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Methods: The sample included MESA subjects who participated in exam 5 (N= 4,716). Leisure-time PA was assessed using the MESA Typical Week PA Survey. Neighborhood behaviors and characteristics, including vicarious experiences (operationalized as observing others “exercise” or “walk”), perceived safety, crime, and walkability, were self-reported. Group comparative analyses were used to evaluate differences in categorical and continuous variables. The relationships between neighborhood characteristics and optimal leisure-time PA (≥10 MET-hrs/wk) were assessed using logistic regression adjusting for age, gender, race, income, body mass index (BMI), and depression, and including interactions between race, BMI and age. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results: Participants with complete data on variables of interest (n=4,417) were elderly (age 69.8 ± 9.4 yrs), predominantly female (53%), and diverse (40% white, 12% Chinese, 26% black, 22% Hispanic). Participants who saw people exercise in their neighborhood were 44% (OR 1.44, 95% CI; 1.22 - 1.69) more likely to engage in optimal leisure-time PA compared to those who did not. Observing other people walk in the neighborhood did not impact leisure-time PA (OR 0.84, 95% CI; 0.68 - 1.04). Older age, female gender, obesity, minority status, and high-risk for depression were associated with lower odds of engaging in optimal leisure-time PA controlling for vicarious experience. Race had significant interactions with BMI and age. Other neighborhood characteristics including perceived safety, crime, and walkability did not influence the association between seeing similar others engage in PA and their own engagement in PA. Conclusions: Developing PA programs that expose community-dwelling adults to their peers who engage in PA could improve exercise self-efficacy and adherence to PA guidelines.