Environmental And Psychosocial Correlates Of Physical Activity In Portuguese And Belgian Adults

Abstract

Psycho-social correlates of physical activity have been widely studied, but physical environmental variables have been much less investigated. Preliminary evidence suggests that differences in neighborhood environment are related to differences in overall physical activity. Most studies have been conducted in the US and Australia. There is a need to understand more about the great variation in environmental factors across countries and about the relative contribution of environmental and psychosocial correlates. PURPOSE To investigate differences in reported physical activity levels and in perceived environmental and psychosocial correlates of activity between Portuguese and Belgian adults; and to analyze the relative contribution of environmental and psychosocial variables in explaining physical activity within different contexts in Portugal and Belgium. METHODS Participants were recruited in a city in Portugal (Oeiras) and Belgium (Ghent). A convenience sample of adults was drawn through worksites, libraries, and socio-cultural societies. The final sample consisted of 527 participants, 247 from Portugal and 279 from Belgium. A validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on environmental and psychosocial correlates of physical activity. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long self-administered usual week version was included. RESULTS For the sum of all activities of at least moderate intensity, a significantly higher mean level of activity was found in Belgian adults (P <0.001). However, a comparable percentage of the Belgian (3 8%) and Portuguese (42%) sample did not meet the recommendation of 30 minutes per day. The variance explained by environmental factors was lower (1 % to 8%) than by psychosocial factors (maximum 43%). Regression analyses showed activity-specific relations with environmental variables which were analogous in both countries. Walking/cycling for transportation and walking for recreation were related to social support from family and/or friends and to walkability and walking facilities in the neighborhood. Recreational physical activity was mainly determined by social support, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits and barriers. CONCLUSION Activity campaigns addressing these psychosocial determinants are needed to encourage leisure time activity, while a combination of neighborhood design changes and encouragement of social support in walking is warranted to increase walking in different contexts.