Citation

Vieira MC, Sperandei S, Reis A, da Silva CG. Prev. Med. 2013; 57(3): 198-200.

Affiliation

Departamento de Saneamento e Saúde Ambiental, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil. Electronic address: vieiramc@yahoo.com.br.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.05.023

PMID

23732246

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the physical characteristics of public spaces designed for sport/physical activity/leisure in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and their relationship to the socioeconomic indicators. METHODS: Public spaces (n=38) spread across the city were evaluated between December 2011 and January 2012 using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument. Based on PARA results, a Quality Indicator (QI) was prepared and the sample grouped into "High QI" and "Low QI" using a k-means clustering algorithm. The association between QI and the local Social Development Index (SDI) was tested using a Chi-square test. RESULTS: The average QI was 13.6±4.91 and the median was equal to 13 points. The High QI group, composed of sites with a QI above median, reached 17.9±2.35 points, while the Low QI group reached 9.3±2.16 points. Pearson's Chi-square tests identified a significant association between QI and SDI when the value of SDI 0.7 was used as a criterion for separation (χ(2)=17.84, p <0.001). In neighborhoods with lower levels of SDI, public spaces usually had a lower QI. CONCLUSIONS: Policies to encourage physical activity need to focus attention on the built environment also, particularly in socially vulnerable areas.

Language: en