Individual and environmental correlates of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in adults from Curitiba, Brazil

• Published in: International journal of public health Vol. 62; no. 7; pp. 831 - 840
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, Priscila Bezerra, Hallal, Pedro Curi, Hino, Adriano Akira Ferreira, Reis, Rodrigo Siqueira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.09.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accelerometry; Adult; Aged; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environment Design - statistics & numerical data; Environmental Health; Exercise; Female; Health behavior; Humans; Individuality; Leisure; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Neighborhoods; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original; Original Article; Public Health; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Sedentary Behavior; Self Report; Time Factors; Walking - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Brazil; Curitiba Brazil; Adults; Sedentary time; Physical activity; Environmental correlates; Individual correlates; Accelerometry
• ISSN: 1661-8556; 1661-8564; 1661-8564
• DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-0995-0

Objectives This study assessed the association of individual and neighborhood environment characteristics and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in adults from Curitiba, Brazil. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face household interviews in 2010. The analytic sample included 305 adults aged 20–65 years recruited from 32 census tracts selected according to neighborhood walkability and socioeconomic status. Individual and environmental PA correlates were evaluated through standardized and valid self-reported measures, including the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Minutes per week of PA and ST were assessed through accelerometry. Multi-level regression models were used in the analyses. Results After adjusting for confounders the strongest individual and environmental correlates associated with ST was residential density ( B  = 0.14; p  = 0.008), light-intensity PA was being a father/mother ( B  = 35.71; p  = 0.025) and moderate-to-vigorous PA was sex ( B  = 0.91; p  < 0.001) and number of cars (one car, B  = −1.05; two cars, B  = −1.14; p  < 0.001). Conclusions The associations found with individual and environmental correlates varied accordingly across all outcomes. Future changes in policies and infrastructure should consider the social context of the community and improvements to promote a safer environment in the neighborhood.