Understanding the contribution of public- and restricted-access places to overall and domain-specific physical activity among Mexican adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Latin Americans engage in physical activity (PA) in unique ways and use a wider range of places for PA than those commonly studied in high-income settings. We examined the contribution of a variety of places and domains of PA to meeting PA recommendations among a sample of adults (18-65 y) from all over Mexico. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 (n = 3 686). Overall and domain-specific PA was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Use of places for PA was self-reported. Places were classified as private or public. In 2018, associations between specific places and meeting PA recommendations (�150 mins/week) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models. In total 72.1% met PA recommendations. The proportion meeting recommendations through domain-specific PA was highest for leisure-time PA (50.0%), followed by travel-related (39.1%) and work-related (24.9%) PA. The most commonly reported places for PA were home (43%), parks (40.7%) and streets (39.4%) (public). Use of most public places was positively associated with meeting PA recommendations, mainly through travel-related PA (Streets OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.71-2.45]; Cycling paths OR 1.91 [1.37-2.68]). Using private places was more strongly associated with PA, mainly leisure-time PA (Gyms OR 9.66 [7.34-12.70]); Sports facilities OR 5.03 [3.27-7.74]). In conclusion, public and private places were important contributors to PA. While public places may be a powerful setting for PA promotion, increasing the equitable access for all to private places may also represent an effective strategy to increase PA among Mexican adults. OPEN ACCESSCitation: Jáuregui A, Salvo D, Medina C, Barquera S, Hammond D (2020) Understanding the contribution of public-and restricted-access places to overall and domain-specific physical activity among Mexican adults: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE 15(2): e0228491. https://doi. Data Availability Statement:The database used for this analysis is available from https://doi.org/10. 6084/m9.figshare.11803488.v1. and the prevalence of physical inactivity has increased in the past 10 years [2]. Given the magnitude of this public health crisis, international organizations have made an urgent call to prioritize policies and actions for promoting physical activity (PA) [3]. Increasing the availability, equitable access, and quality of places where people are likely to be physically active is a priority investment that works for PA promotion [3]. However, a major limitation for implementing effective PA promotion policies at scale is the lack of contextually-relevant evidence on the underlying drivers of physical (in)activity among Mexicans, as well as other Latin American countries [4,5].Latin Americans engage in PA in unique ways. Studies suggest that in comparison to highincome countries, Latin Americans engage in more transport-based PA, and less leisure-time PA, and use a wider range of places for PA (e.g., non-exercise or sport oriented public-access places like shopping malls, public squares, or unoc...

Physical inactivity and sitting time prevalence and trends in Mexican adults. Results from three national surveys

“…According to mean minutes per week of MVPA women vs. men, those aged 60–69 years old vs. other age groups, and those classified as underweight and obese were the most inactive population groups. This result is similar to previous international [ 5 , 28 ] and national studies [ 6 , 22 , 29 , 30 ]. This could be explained by the fact that women and older adults [ 31 ] are involved in light intensity physical activity mainly performed within leisure or home-related activities [ 32 ] and adults classified as underweight or obese could have decreased levels of physical activity and an increased sedentarism [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Physical Activity Promotion and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Building Synergies to Maximize Impact

“…[35][36][37] In these settings, a large share of physical activity is driven by necessity (ie, occurs within the domains of work and transport and mostly among low-income populations). 38,39 Cultural norms around social status and utilitarian physical activity 40 may also be impacting the level of political support for physical activity promotion in many of these settings.…”

“…This will require moving away from the current operating model in many LMICs and among economically disadvantaged communities where, due to a lack of opportunities and resources, many engage regularly in necessity-driven physical activity for transport and work in unsafe, unenjoyable, undignified, and unsustainable conditions. 38,40 Instead, we should focus on making the physically active option of all daily activities the default choice for all groups by making it the easiest, most convenient, cheapest, safest, and most enjoyable option. 4,9,49 Abbreviations: LMICs, low-and middle-income countries; PA, physical activity; SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals.…”

Movement Behaviors during COVID-19. A Survey among Children under Five Years of Latin American Origin or Descent from Chile, Mexico, and the US

“…Furthermore, the social isolation that results from lockdowns or stay-at-home orders is likely to impact Latin American/Latino children and families, especially given their strong collectivistic (community-oriented) identity. In fact, there is evidence that for adults, use and access to places that facilitate social interaction is a key driver of PA behaviors 33,34 .…”