Neighborhood safety and physical inactivity in adults from Curitiba, Brazil

Cassiano R. Rech, Rodrigo S. Reis, Adriano Akira F. Hino, Ciro R. Rodriguez-Añez, Rogério C. Fermino, Priscila B. Gonçalves, Pedro C. Hallal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Neighborhood safety is one of the environmental aspects that can influence physical activity. We analyzed the association between perceived neighborhood safety and physical inactivity (PI) in adults and examined effect modification according to sociodemographic variables.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,261 adults (62% women), age 18-69 years from Curitiba, Brazil.Results: The perception of unsafe neighborhood was higher among women, older participants, those classified in the high socioeconomic (SES) group, overweighed and also among those reporting to have PA equipments and children. The association between perception safety of walking during the day and walking for leisure (women PR = 1.12 CI95% = 1.02-1.22; men PR = 0.82 CI95% = 0.64-1.05; interaction term PR = 1.38 CI95% = 1.03-1.83) and safe perception was associated with PI, just in the highest SES group (PR = 1.09; CI95% = 1.00-1.19; p trend = 0.032) when compared with their counterparts (low SES PR = 0.99; CI95% = 0.90-1.04; p trend = 0.785; interaction term PR = 1.09; CI95% = 1.03-1.15; p trend = 0.007).Conclusion: The perception of safety in the neighborhood was associated with PI in transport, but this association varies across of sociodemographic variables.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number72
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Volume9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 12 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adults
  • Environment
  • Physical activity
  • Safety

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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