Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity in Sweden
Author Information
Author(s): Patrick Bergman, Andrej M. Grjibovski, Maria Hagströmer, James F. Sallis, Michael Sjöström
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Hypothesis
How does the neighborhood environment affect walking and health-enhancing physical activity among Swedish adults?
Conclusion
The study found that the neighborhood environment is differentially related to walking and total health enhancing physical activity.
Supporting Evidence
- A lower odds ratio for walking was observed among those in the lowest tertile of urbanisation.
- Higher odds for walking were found among those with lower fear of crime.
- The study highlights the importance of the neighborhood environment in promoting physical activity.
Takeaway
The places where people live can make it easier or harder for them to walk and be active. Some neighborhoods help people walk more, while others do not.
Methodology
A population-based cross-sectional study using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a 17-item environmental module.
Potential Biases
Potential response bias due to self-reported data.
Limitations
The study may not generalize to non-Swedish populations, and the IPAQ may not capture all aspects of physical activity.
Participant Demographics
Swedish adults aged 18-74, with a slight overrepresentation of women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.47–0.98
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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