Citation

Calise TV, Heeren T, Dejong W, Dumith SC, Kohl HW. Prev. Chronic Dis. 2013; 10: E102.

Affiliation

John Snow Inc, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210. E-mail: tcalise@jsi.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

10.5888/pcd10.120119

PMID

23786909

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Whether patterns of physical activity in different communities can be attributed to the built environment or instead reflect self-selection is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine neighborhood preferences and behavior-specific physical activity among residents who moved to a new urbanist-designed community. METHODS: We used data from a 2009 survey (n = 424) that was designed and administered to evaluate neighborhood preferences and behavior-specific physical activity before and after residents moved. Data were grouped and stratified by pre-move physical activity levels into low-, middle-, and high-activity groups. We used Student's paired sample t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare pre- and post-move scores and used an analysis of variance to compare mean changes as a function of pre-move physical activity level. RESULTS: After moving, the high-activity group continued to be significantly more active than the middle- and low-activity groups (P < .001). However, we saw the biggest increase in pre- to post-move total physical activity in the low-activity group (mean increase, 176.3 min/wk) compared with the middle- (mean increase, 69.5 min/wk) and high-activity groups (mean decrease, 67.9 min/wk). All 3 groups had significant increases in walking inside the neighborhood for recreation. The preferred neighborhood features with the most significant pre- to post-move change scores were those associated with greater walkability. CONCLUSION: This study supports the role the environment plays in physical activity. These data suggest that moving to an activity-friendly neighborhood can positively affect physical activity levels, particularly among residents who had previously been least active.

Language: en