Perceptions of the Built Environment and Support for Policies That Promote Physical Activity
Authors
Gustat, JeanetteAnderson, Christopher E.
O'Malley, Keelia
Hu, Tian
Tabak, Rachel G.
Goins, Karin V.
Valko, Cheryl
Litt, Jill S.
Eyler, Amy A.
UMass Chan Affiliations
Prevention Research CenterDepartment of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Document Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2019-09-14Keywords
healthobesity
policy
survey research
Behavioral Medicine
Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Health Policy
Preventive Medicine
Public Policy
Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.Source
J Phys Act Health. 2019 Sep 14:1-9. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0174. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI
10.1123/jpah.2018-0174Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/44558PubMed ID
31521055Related Resources
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1123/jpah.2018-0174