Abstract
The importance of physical activity and community-level promotion strategies are well established, but little is known about adult perception of the importance of physical activity. In a nationwide sample of US adults, we examined self-reported importance of regular physical activity and the importance of living in walkable neighborhoods. About 55% of adults strongly agreed that regular physical activity is important, 40% strongly agreed that living in a walkable neighborhood is important, and 31% strongly agreed that both are important. Separately for each measure, estimates were lower among adults with lower education levels and who did not meet the aerobic physical activity guideline. Opportunities exist to improve the perception of the importance of physical activity and the importance of walkable neighborhoods.
Highlights
We examined the self-reported importance of regular physical activity and of living in walkable neighborhoods by demographic characteristics and by physical activity behavior in a nationwide sample of adults
Of the 4,107 SummerStyles respondents, 3,991 had complete data for all variables of interest. Using these cross-sectional data, we examined the importance of regular physical activity and the importance of living in a walkable neighborhood by demographic characteristics
39.7% of adults strongly agreed it is important to live in a walkable neighborhood (Table)
Summary
Porter Novelli’s 2017 Styles (https://styles.porternovelli.com) database gathers data on US consumer insights, including information about health attitudes and behaviors. The initial SpringStyles survey was sent during March–April 2017 to 10,916 panelists; of these, 6,622 completed the survey (response rate, 60.7%). The summer wave, SummerStyles, was sent during June–July to 5,586 adults who completed the SpringStyles survey; of these, 4,107 completed the survey (response rate: 73.5%). Respondents received a small incentive of about $10. Respondents were asked how strongly they disagree or agree (ie, strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, neither agree or disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree) with the following statements: 1) I think it is important to be physically active on a regular basis, and 2) I think it is important to live in a neighborhood that is walkable. We defined a walkable neighborhood as one that it is safe and easy for people to walk to get somewhere or one that is safe and easy to walk for fun, relaxation, or exercise.
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