The Relationship between Physical Activity and the Objectively-Measured Built Environment in Low- and High-Income South African Communities
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2021-04-07
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Abstract
There is limited data concerning the built environment and physical activity (PA) in a country with a history of socio-politically motivated, spatial and economic disparities. We explored the extent to which objectively measured attributes of the built environment were associated with self-report or device-measured PA in low- and high-socioeconomic status (SES) communities. Methods: In a convenient sample of residents (n = 52, aged 18–65 years) from four urban suburbs in low- and high-income settings near Cape Town, South Africa, self-reported transport- and leisure-time PA, and device-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) data were collected. Built environment constructs derived from individual-level street network measures (1000 m buffer, ArcGIS, 10.51) were obtained. We assessed PA between four groups, based on income and GIS walkability (derived by a median split, low or high SES and low or high walkable). Results: No relationships between self-reported MVPA and GIS-measured walkability were found. Only intersection density was significantly, inversely associated with moderate and total MVPA (rho = −0.29 and rho = −0.31, respectively, p < 0.05). In the high SES group, vigorous PA was inversely associated with intersection density (rho = −0.39, p < 0.05). Self-report transport PA differed between groups (p < 0.013). Conclusions: Results suggest that the construct of walkability may relate to volitional (leisure) and utilitarian (transport) PA differently, in highly inequitable settings.
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Isiagi, M., Okop, K.J. & Lambert, E.V. 2021. The Relationship between Physical Activity and the Objectively-Measured Built Environment in Low- and High-Income South African Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18(8):3853. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35248