Citation

Mendes MD, Silva IC, Hallal PC, Tomasi E. PLoS One 2014; 9(9): e108136.

Affiliation

Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0108136

PMID

25250805

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to describe the perception of safety from crime in the neighborhood and to evaluate its association with leisure-time and transport-related physical activity in adults.

METHODS: A cross-sectional population based study was conducted in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil, in 2012. Perceived insecurity from crime in the neighborhood was measured using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and the City Stress Inventory (CSI). Physical activity was measured using an adapted version of the leisure and transportation sections of the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Overall, 52.3% (95%CI49.0; 55.6) of the participants reported perceived exposure to an unsafe neighborhood. Subjects who practiced 150 or more minutes per week of physical activity during leisure-time and transportation were 10.5% (95%CI9.0; 12.0) and 51.7% (95%CI 48.7; 54.7), respectively. There were no significant associations between physical activity (leisure-time or transport-related) and perceived insecurity from crime, neither in unadjusted nor in adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSION: There was no evidence that the perception of safety from crime is associated to higher physical activity levels among Brazilian adults.

Language: en