Urban–Rural Differences in Physical Activity in Belgian Adults and the Importance of Psychosocial Factors

Abstract

Recent research in urban planning and public health has drawn attention to the associations between urban form and physical activity in adults. Because little is known on the urban-rural differences in physical activity, the main aims of the present study were to examine differences in physical activity between urban and rural adults and to investigate the moderating effects of the physical environment on the relationship between psychosocial factors and physical activity. In Flanders, Belgium, five rural and five urban neighborhoods were selected. A sample of 350 adults (20-65 years of age; 35 adults per neighborhood) participated in the study. Participants wore a pedometer for 7 days, and self-reported physical activity and psychosocial data were also collected. Results showed that urban adults took more steps/day and reported more walking and cycling for transport in the neighborhood, more recreational walking in the neighborhood, and more walking for transportation outside the neighborhood than rural adults. Rural adults reported more recreational cycling in the neighborhoods. The physical environment was a significant moderator of the associations between several psychosocial factors (modeling from family, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers) and physical activity. In rural participants, adults with psychosocial scores above average were more physically active, whereas there were no differences in physical activity according to psychosocial factors in urban participants. These results are promising and plead for the development of multidimensional interventions, targeting specific population subgroups. In rural environments, where changing the environment would be a very challenging task, interventions focusing on modifiable psychosocial constructs could possibly be effective.

Neighbourhood walkability, daily steps and utilitarian walking in Canadian adults

“…No meaningful association was identified between walkability and utilitarian walking in a Japanese study (−4.7 min/day more, 95% CI −10.2 to 0.80). 36 In contrast to our results, three studies signalled positive associations for daily steps (Belgian study: 548 more steps/day, 95% CI −230 to 1326; 34 Belgian study: 1222 more steps/day, 95% CI 131 to 2313; 33 Japanese study: 1070 steps/day, 95% CI −400 to 2540). 36 …”

Neighbourhood walkability, daily steps and utilitarian walking in Canadian adults

“…No meaningful association was identified between walkability and utilitarian walking in a Japanese study (−4.7 min/day more, 95% CI −10.2 to 0.80). 36 In contrast to our results, three studies signalled positive associations for daily steps (Belgian study: 548 more steps/day, 95% CI −230 to 1326; 34 Belgian study: 1222 more steps/day, 95% CI 131 to 2313; 33 Japanese study: 1070 steps/day, 95% CI −400 to 2540). 36 …”

Sedentary Behavior among Male and Female Older Adults (Demographic and gender study in West Java)

“…As previous research reports that adults > 60 years spend time sitting 4 hours a day and the results of measurements objectively prove that behavior stays more than 8.5 hours a day [20]. Adults in rural areas are more physically active than adults in urban areas [29]. The two studies are at least in line with the results of this study.…”

Perceived Environmental and Personal Factors Associated with Walking and Cycling for Transportation in Taiwanese Adults

“…These results may suggest that intervention strategies (e.g., the promotion of public transport use) should target adults with employment, which might be a potential subgroup who has a regular route to their work [ 49 ]. Moreover, Taiwanese adults living in nonmetropolitan areas and who have cars or motor bikes were less likely to walk, which is consistent with previous findings [ 22 , 24 , 50 ]. The possible reasons might be that nonmetropolitan areas may have a lower residential density, less infrastructure, and longer distances to public transportation services or destinations [ 51 ].…”

Neighbourhood walkability, daily steps and utilitarian walking in Canadian adults

“…No meaningful association was identified between walkability and utilitarian walking in a Japanese study (−4.7 min/day more, 95% CI −10.2 to 0.80). 36 In contrast to our results, three studies signalled positive associations for daily steps (Belgian study: 548 more steps/day, 95% CI −230 to 1326; 34 Belgian study: 1222 more steps/day, 95% CI 131 to 2313; 33 Japanese study: 1070 steps/day, 95% CI −400 to 2540). 36 …”

Sedentary Behavior among Male and Female Older Adults (Demographic and gender study in West Java)

“…As previous research reports that adults > 60 years spend time sitting 4 hours a day and the results of measurements objectively prove that behavior stays more than 8.5 hours a day [20]. Adults in rural areas are more physically active than adults in urban areas [29]. The two studies are at least in line with the results of this study.…”

Perceived Environmental and Personal Factors Associated with Walking and Cycling for Transportation in Taiwanese Adults

“…These results may suggest that intervention strategies (e.g., the promotion of public transport use) should target adults with employment, which might be a potential subgroup who has a regular route to their work [ 49 ]. Moreover, Taiwanese adults living in nonmetropolitan areas and who have cars or motor bikes were less likely to walk, which is consistent with previous findings [ 22 , 24 , 50 ]. The possible reasons might be that nonmetropolitan areas may have a lower residential density, less infrastructure, and longer distances to public transportation services or destinations [ 51 ].…”

Neighbourhood walkability, daily steps and utilitarian walking in Canadian adults

“…No meaningful association was identified between walkability and utilitarian walking in a Japanese study (−4.7 min/day more, 95% CI −10.2 to 0.80). 36 In contrast to our results, three studies signalled positive associations for daily steps (Belgian study: 548 more steps/day, 95% CI −230 to 1326; 34 Belgian study: 1222 more steps/day, 95% CI 131 to 2313; 33 Japanese study: 1070 steps/day, 95% CI −400 to 2540). 36 …”

Sedentary Behavior among Male and Female Older Adults (Demographic and gender study in West Java)

“…As previous research reports that adults > 60 years spend time sitting 4 hours a day and the results of measurements objectively prove that behavior stays more than 8.5 hours a day [20]. Adults in rural areas are more physically active than adults in urban areas [29]. The two studies are at least in line with the results of this study.…”

Perceived Environmental and Personal Factors Associated with Walking and Cycling for Transportation in Taiwanese Adults

“…These results may suggest that intervention strategies (e.g., the promotion of public transport use) should target adults with employment, which might be a potential subgroup who has a regular route to their work [ 49 ]. Moreover, Taiwanese adults living in nonmetropolitan areas and who have cars or motor bikes were less likely to walk, which is consistent with previous findings [ 22 , 24 , 50 ]. The possible reasons might be that nonmetropolitan areas may have a lower residential density, less infrastructure, and longer distances to public transportation services or destinations [ 51 ].…”