Abstract
BackgroundWomen living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at increased risk for physical inactivity and associated health outcomes and are difficult to reach through personally tailored interventions. Targeting the built environment may be an effective strategy in this population subgroup. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of environmental perceptions in the relationship between the objective environment and walking for transportation/recreation among women from socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods.MethodsBaseline data of the Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality (READI) study were used. In total, 4139 women (18–46 years) completed a postal survey assessing physical environmental perceptions (aesthetics, neighbourhood physical activity environment, personal safety, neighbourhood social cohesion), physical activity, and socio-demographics. Objectively-assessed data on street connectivity and density of destinations were collected using a Geographic Information System database and based on the objective z-scores, an objective destinations/connectivity score was calculated. This index was positively scored, with higher scores representing a more favourable environment. Two-level mixed models regression analyses were conducted and the MacKinnon product-of-coefficients test was used to examine the mediating effects.ResultsThe destinations/connectivity score was positively associated with transport-related walking. The perceived physical activity environment mediated 6.1% of this positive association. The destinations/connectivity score was negatively associated with leisure-time walking. Negative perceptions of aesthetics, personal safety and social cohesion of the neighbourhood jointly mediated 24.1% of this negative association.ConclusionFor women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, environmental perceptions were important mediators of the relationship between the objective built environment and walking. To increase both transport-related and leisure-time walking, it is necessary to improve both objective walkability-related characteristics (street connectivity and proximity of destinations), and perceptions of personal safety, favourable aesthetics and neighbourhood social cohesion.
Highlights
Women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at increased risk for physical inactivity and associated health outcomes and are difficult to reach through personally tailored interventions
Whilst it is likely that the environment is still a relevant factor in promoting these behaviours, other physical environmental attributes like access to recreation facilities or neighbourhood aesthetics may be more essential in influencing leisure-time walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [9]
The objective destinations/connectivity z-score was negatively associated with perceived aesthetics (CI = −0.03, -0.01), personal safety (CI = −0.05, -0.03) and social cohesion of the neighbourhood (CI = −0.03, -0.01), while it was positively related to the perceived physical activity environment (CI = 0.001, 0.02)
Summary
Women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at increased risk for physical inactivity and associated health outcomes and are difficult to reach through personally tailored interventions. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of environmental perceptions in the relationship between the objective environment and walking for transportation/recreation among women from socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Determining the most pertinent correlates of both walking for leisure and walking for transport is important to inform effective interventions aimed at increasing these behaviours. Physical or built environmental attributes related to walkability (i.e. high street connectivity, mixed land use, high residential density) have been consistently associated with active transportation in adults [4,5]. Whilst it is likely that the environment is still a relevant factor in promoting these behaviours, other physical environmental attributes like access (i.e. availability and proximity) to recreation facilities or neighbourhood aesthetics (e.g. presence of trees, absence of litter, attractive scenery) may be more essential in influencing leisure-time walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
