Geoprocessing via google maps for assessing obesogenic built environments related to physical activity and chronic noncommunicable diseases: validity and reliability.

Valter Silva,Antonio Grande,Maria Peccin,Cassiano Rech

doi:10.1260/2040-2295.6.1.41

Abstract

This study analyzes the reliability and validity of obesogenic built environments related to physical activity and chronic noncommunicable diseases through Google Maps in a heterogeneous urban area (i.e., residential and commercial, very poor and very rich) in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. There are no important differences when comparing virtual measures with street audit. Based on Kappa statistic, respectively for validity and reliability, 78% and 80% of outcomes were classified as nearly perfect agreement or substantial agreement. Virtual measures of geoprocessing via Google Maps provided high validity and reliability for assessing built environments.

Highlights

According to data from the World Health Organization, chronic noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide for 36 million people per year or 63% of all deaths [1]
Study Design, Sample, and Setting This analytical research was designed to determine the validity and reliability of the assessment of obesogenic built environments related to physical activity and chronic noncommunicable disease through geoprocessing via Google Maps
In this study, we consider that the obesogenic environment related to physical activity and chronic noncommunicable diseases is associated with the built environment where people live or work

Summary

Introduction

According to data from the World Health Organization, chronic noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide for 36 million people per year or 63% of all deaths [1]. There are modifiable behavioral risk factors, such as sedentarism and obesity, which together cause 23% of premature deaths, or 8.1 million/year, worldwide from chronic noncommunicable diseases These modifiable behavioral risk factors may influence most of the other causes [1]. The results of Hankey et al [2] showed 7 fewer deaths/100,000/year in high- vs low-walkability neighborhoods caused by ischemic heart disease. It is necessary for policymakers and researchers to understand aspects of built environments in order to plan and organize community strategies and public policy

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Conclusion