Abstract
BackgroundSedentary behavior is influenced by contextual, social, and individual factors, including the built environment. However, associations between the built environment and sitting time have not been extensively investigated in countries with economies in transition such as Brazil. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between sitting-time and access to a mix of destinations for adults from Sao Paulo city, Brazil.MethodsThis study uses data from the Health Survey of Sao Paulo. Sedentary behavior was assessed by a questionnaire using two questions: total sitting time in minutes on a usual weekday; and on a usual weekend day. The mix of destinations was measured by summing the number of facilities (comprising bus stops, train/subway stations, parks, squares, public recreation centres, bike paths, primary health care units, supermarkets, food stores, bakeries, and coffee-shops) within 500 m of each participant’s residence. Minutes of sitting time in a typical weekday and weekend day were the outcomes and the mix of destinations score in 500 m buffers was the exposure variable. Associations between the mix of destinations and sitting time were examined using multilevel linear regression: these models accounted for clustering within census tracts and households and adjusted for environmental, sociodemographic, and health-related factors.ResultsAfter adjustment for covariates, the mix of destinations was inversely associated with minutes of sitting time on a weekday (β=− 8.8, p=0.001) and weekend day (β=− 6.1, p=0.022). People who lived in areas with a greater mix of destinations had shorter average sitting times.ConclusionGreater mix of destinations within 500 m of peoples’ residences was inversely associated with sitting time on a typical weekday and weekend day. In Latin American cities like Sao Paulo built environments more favorable for walking may contribute to reducing sedentary behavior and prevent associated chronic disease.
Highlights
Sedentary behavior is influenced by contextual, social, and individual factors, including the built environment
A study conducted in 11 cities with 5.712 adults which measured sedentary behavior using accelerometers found that greater street connectivity and a more diverse land use mix were associated with fewer minutes per day of sedentary time; and higher residential density and higher pedestrian infrastructure were associated with more minutes per day of sedentary time [11]
Mean sitting time was higher for men, persons aged 18–29, the highly educated, those who engaged in insufficient physical activity, classified as obese, who reported having at least one disease, single, who owned a private motor vehicle, living in the Midwest region of the city, and who had lived at their current residence for less than one year
Summary
Sedentary behavior is influenced by contextual, social, and individual factors, including the built environment. A study conducted in 11 cities with 5.712 adults which measured sedentary behavior using accelerometers found that greater street connectivity and a more diverse land use mix were associated with fewer minutes per day of sedentary time; and higher residential density and higher pedestrian infrastructure were associated with more minutes per day of sedentary time [11]. A systematic review showed that access and proximity to general services and facilities and recreation facilities were inversely associated with total sitting time [12] Another cross-sectional study showed that the walkability index calculated on the basis of land use mix, street connectivity, and residential density, was positively associated with sedentary behavior in Belgian adults [13]. Studies examining the association between the built environment and sedentary behavior have produced inconsistent and inconclusive evidence, and relationships might differ depending on the domain of sedentary behavior being investigated [14]
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