Community and environment for physical activity among young people: a systematic review of the Report Card Brazil 2018

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify evidence about the prevalence of the community and environment indicators related to physical activity (PA) among young Brazilian people. A systematic review was carried out using eight databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SPORTDiscus, BIREME, Scielo, and Google Scholar) with descriptors in Portuguese and English. Community and environment Indicators included access, presence, proximity, quality, safety and pollution of/in spaces, facilities, programs available for PA among young people (up to 18 years-old), which may be measured subjectively and/or objectively. A total of 23 documents were included, representing 15 different studies. There were more studies in the South region (n=8), followed by the Northeast (n=3) and Southeast (n=3). Self-reported instruments were more frequently used (n=15). The studies reported prevalence of perception (positive and/or barrier) for access to facilities, programs and/or parks (n=13); presence of sidewalks and bicycle lanes (n=4); proximity to residence (n=5); quality (n=5); safety from crime and traffic (n=14) and pollution (n=6); number of spaces and/or facilities around the residence (n=1); and observation of adolescents using public spaces for PA (n=3). The prevalence rates showed high variability according to environmental indicator. No studies are available for the North and Midwest of the country. Distinct environmental measures were used in selfreported studies, impairing data comparability. To date, no studies have been identified that provide information about the prevalence of combined environmental measures (perceived and objective).

Mediation role of residential density on the association between perceived environmental factors and active commuting to school in Brazilian adolescents

“…It should be noted that this mediation role ranged from approximately 14% to 32% for the three investigated perceived environmental factors, which points out to the relevance of these factors for the development of public health strategies. It is important to emphasize that a systematic review indicated that studies providing combined information between perceived and objective environmental factors were unavailable in Brazil, involving adolescents 40 .…”

Systematic review of the community environment for physical activity in young people - an update to the Report Card Brazil

“…This study followed the recommendations and guidelines for conducting systematic reviews for observational studies 9 . According to the previous review 7 , the relationship between the environment and physical activity in Brazilian children and adolescents was investigated. As in the previous review, environmental characteristics related to spaces, physical activity facilities, climatic factors, pollution, and perception of the neighborhood and neighborhood were considered 7 .…”

“…According to the previous review 7 , the relationship between the environment and physical activity in Brazilian children and adolescents was investigated. As in the previous review, environmental characteristics related to spaces, physical activity facilities, climatic factors, pollution, and perception of the neighborhood and neighborhood were considered 7 . These variables could be obtained objectively or subjectively.…”

“…The inclusion criteria for this review considered articles published in indexed scientific journals, articles that analyzed children and/or adolescents, studies carried out in the Brazilian population, and samples without any disease or specific clinical condition. Variables of social indicators (e.g., socioeconomic level or education) and social support (e.g., support from friends and family for the practice of physical activity) were not considered 7 . Only original articles were selected.…”

“…Since Brazil is a country of continental dimension, with a heterogeneous population, great cultural diversity, and enormous social inequality, the importance of constant studies that can detail and update the varied characteristics of its regions is increasing 7 . In addition, identifying potential facilitators or barriers to physical activity in Brazilian regions constitutes an important asset for public policies that wish to design effective strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children and young people.…”