Association between built environment and physical activity in Latin American countries: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the association between the physical activity level and the built environment by accessibility, microinfrastructure and security in Latin America (LA).DesignWe conducted a multicentre cross-sectional study to collect physical activity and built environment data. The levels of physical activity were calculated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire survey. Using the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated, characteristics of the built environment were measured through three domains: accessibility, microinfrastructure and security. To estimate the association of the built environment and physical activity, we used mixed effects logistic regression analysis. In addition, likelihood ratio test to account for clustered effect within countries and/or cities was used.SettingEight countries in LA.ParticipantsAdults aged 15–65 years (n=9218) living in urban areas and consented to participate of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health.ResultsMost of the population in LA had access to a grocery store (97.2%), public transport stop (91.5%) and children’s playground (81.6%). Metropolitan parks were more accessible in Ecuador (59.8%) and Colombia (59.2%) than in Venezuela (33.5%). Individuals located within 20 min of walking from sport facilities or children’s playground areas were more likely to perform moderate-to-high physical activity OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.36) and OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.53), respectively. Only 14.5% of the population from the region considered that their neighbourhood had an adequate design for walking or cycling. Likewise, among adults living in LA, only 39.75% had the perception of living in a safe neighbourhood.ConclusionsThis multicentre study shows that currently, LA built environment does not promote physical activity in the region. Our findings provide the rationale to push forward, at regional and national levels, policies and interventions that will help to achieve a safe, healthy and friendly built environment to encourage participation in active recreation and sports in leisure time.Trial registration numberNCT02226627.

Playgrounds Location and Patterns of Use

“…[4] In contrast, in a study of over 9,000 individuals surveyed in eight Latin American countries, 49% reported accessibility to parks and 82% reported access to playgrounds (accessibility de ned as within a 20-min walking distance). [14] City planners, urban designers, and parks departments should consider the importance of playground locations, as well as active transport networks, when creating new or recon guring existing neighborhoods. Siting playgrounds within ¼ to ½ mile of every resident should be a goal for all major cities.…”

Perceived Neighborhood Safety and Active Transportation in Adults from Eight Latin American Countries

“…Thus, in addition to poor micro infrastructure, the unsafe environment contributes to low levels of AT reported in the region. Safety features were most strongly associated with moderate to high physical activity levels [22]. The highest crime safety was found in Chile (61.7%) and the lowest in Venezuela (24.7%).…”

“…In urban areas, sports infrastructure or playgrounds, which are located within a 20 min walk have been shown to contribute to moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, as long as they are accessible and considered safe [22]. It has been shown that the built environment in the neighborhood, including available spaces, pedestrian or vehicular traffic and safety, is associated with physical activity during the week [23].…”

“…The highest crime safety was found in Chile (61.7%) and the lowest in Venezuela (24.7%). The countries with the lowest safety at recreational places are Venezuela (15.9%), Argentina (23.2%), and Brazil (25.8%) [22]. In the case of Europe, political documents have established action plans for mobility, prevention of non-communicable diseases, safe walking, and cycling as strategies for moving around in urban environments and thus promoting physical activity [27].…”

The Relationship between Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, Cognition, and Academic Outcomes in School-Aged Latino Children: A Scoping Review

“…For many school-aged children of marginalized and varying cultural backgrounds, the social determinants of health play a key role in the level of engagement in physical activity. Previous studies have linked unhealthy housing, unsafe neighborhoods, and fewer places to participate in safe physical activity with lower overall physical activity levels, though living in metropolitan areas appears to increase the odds of young Latino children engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in Latin American countries, when living in built environments that have spaces within 20 min of walking and/or 30 min using public transportation [ 5 , 6 ]. This is a concerning matter for Latino children across the globe, as a lack of sufficient physical activity during this period of life has implications for poorer health outcomes, substantial decrements to cognitive development, and poorer academic outcomes [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”