Citation

Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Black JB, Chen D. Am. J. Public Health 2003; 93(9): 1552-1558.

Affiliation

Division of Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, MLC 3015, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. brian.saelens@cchmc.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12948979

PMCID

PMC1448009

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a neighborhood

environment survey and compared the physical activity and weight status of the

residents in 2 neighborhoods. METHODS: On 2 occasions, 107 adults from

neighborhoods with differing "walkability" were selected to complete a

survey on their neighborhood environment. Physical activity was assessed by

self-report and by accelerometer; height and weight were assessed by

self-report. RESULTS: Neighborhood environment characteristics had moderate to

high test-retest reliabilities. Residents of high-walkability neighborhoods

reported higher residential density, land use mix, street connectivity,

aesthetics, and safety. They had more than 70 more minutes of physical activity

and had lower obesity prevalence (adjusted for individual demographics) than did

residents of low-walkability neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability and

validity of self-reported neighborhood environment subscales were supported.

Neighborhood environment was associated with physical activity and overweight

prevalence.