Title
Perceptions of the Built Environment and Support for Policies That Promote Physical Activity
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine; UMass Worcester Prevention Research Center
Publication Date
2019-09-14
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Behavioral Medicine | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Health Policy | Preventive Medicine | Public Policy | Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To assess how perceptions of the community built environment influence support for community policies that promote physical activity (PA).
METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of the local built environment and support of community policies, including school and workplace policies, promoting PA. A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in US counties selected on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for high or low prevalence of obesity and inactivity. A total of 1208 subjects were interviewed, 642 from high-prevalence counties and 566 from low-prevalence counties. Analyses were stratified by county prevalence of obesity and inactivity (high or low). Linear models adjusted for covariates were constructed to assess the influence of built environment perceptions on policy support.
RESULTS: Perception of more destinations near the residence was associated with increased support for community policies that promote PA, including tax increases in low-prevalence (obesity and inactivity) counties (P < .01). Positive perception of the workplace environment was associated (P < .001) with increased support for workplace policies among those in high-, but not low-, prevalence counties.
CONCLUSIONS: Support for community policies promoting PA varies by perception of the built environment, which has implications for policy change.
Keywords
health, obesity, policy, survey research
DOI of Published Version
10.1123/jpah.2018-0174
Source
J Phys Act Health. 2019 Sep 14:1-9. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0174. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of physical activity and health
Related Resources
PubMed ID
31521055
Repository Citation
Gustat J, Anderson CE, O'Malley K, Hu T, Tabak RG, Goins KV, Valko C, Litt JS, Eyler AA. (2019). Perceptions of the Built Environment and Support for Policies That Promote Physical Activity. UMass Worcester PRC Publications. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2018-0174. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/prc_pubs/152