Association of built-environment and physical activity recommended for health promotion among Japanese adults

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived environment and achieving recommended level of walking, moderate to vigorous physical activity excluding walking or moderate to vigorous physical activity among Japanese adults.
Methods Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using the sample of 3,000 Japanese adults aged 30-59 years. Physical activity and neighbourhood environment were assessed by the short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and IPAQ Environment Module. Participants were assigned to either “meeting recommendation” or “not meeting recommendation” according to criteria; ≥150 minutes per week of walking, moderate to vigorous intensity activity excluding walking or moderate to vigorous physical activity. Odds ratio of meeting physical activity recommendation was calculated in relation to environmental variables by gender, adjusted for sociodemographic attributes (gender, age, marital status, employment status, living status, educational attainment and household income).
Results Convenient access to shops (male: OR=1.44, female: OR=1.73), public transportation (OR=1.75, 1.88), recreational facilities (OR=1.51, 1.37), good street connectivity (OR=1.32, 1.44), having destinations (OR=1.62, 1.44), and having household motor vehicles (OR=1.66, 1.85) were significantly related to meet the recommended level of walking. Access to recreational facilities (OR=1.33, 1.47), social environment (OR=1.48, 1.35) and aesthetics (OR=1.30, 1.39) were significantly related to meeting the recommended level of moderate to vigorous physical activity excluding walking. Convenient access to shops(OR=1.46, 1.36), public transportation (OR=1.60, 2.03), recreational facilities (OR=1.54, 1.41), having a destination (OR=1.54, 1.33), and good aesthetics (OR=1.41, 1.43) were significantly related to meet the recommended level of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Conclusion The moderate to vigorous physical activity excluding walking were associated with environment for exercising such as recreational facilities and social environment. The walking and moderate to vigorous physical activity including walking were associated with environment for lifestyle physical activity such as convenient access to shop and public transportation. Perceived environment influence was different depending on types of physical activities among Japanese adults.