Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile

Abstract Background Various indicators of neighborhood environmental perceptions are differently associated with physical activity (PA) domains, with notable variations by sex. However, few studies in Latin America have examined these associations across distinct PA domains. In this study, we analyz...

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Main Authors: Rodrigo Fuentes Kloss, Jaime Cerda Lorca, Attilio Rigotti Rivera, Belen Fierro Saldaña, Eduardo Rossato de Victo, Gerson Ferrari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22138-z
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author Rodrigo Fuentes Kloss
Jaime Cerda Lorca
Attilio Rigotti Rivera
Belen Fierro Saldaña
Eduardo Rossato de Victo
Gerson Ferrari
author_facet Rodrigo Fuentes Kloss
Jaime Cerda Lorca
Attilio Rigotti Rivera
Belen Fierro Saldaña
Eduardo Rossato de Victo
Gerson Ferrari
author_sort Rodrigo Fuentes Kloss
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Various indicators of neighborhood environmental perceptions are differently associated with physical activity (PA) domains, with notable variations by sex. However, few studies in Latin America have examined these associations across distinct PA domains. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between neighborhood environmental perceptions and PA in the domains of transportation and leisure among Chilean adults. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study included 770 participants from the 2014–2016 Latin American Nutrition and Health Survey (ELANS). Perceptions of land use diversity, access to land use, street connectivity, walking and cycling infrastructure, aesthetics, safety from crime, and neighborhood traffic were assessed using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A) questionnaire. PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF), focusing on the transportation and leisure-time domains. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were used for the analysis. Results Logistic regression analysis in men showed no association between neighborhood characteristics and PA in the transportation or leisure-time domains. However, for women, greater perception of facilities for walking or cycling was inversely associated with transportation PA (OR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.42;0.92). In the multiple linear regression analysis, higher perceived traffic safety was associated with greater PA (min/week) for both transportation (β: 0.098; 95%CI: 0.005;0.192) and leisure time (β: 0.160, 95%CI: 0.012;0.309). For men, higher scores for perceived access to land use were inversely associated with leisure-time PA (β: -0.150, 95%CI: -0.266;-0.034). Conclusions Different perceived neighborhood characteristics are associated with PA across various domains, with notable gender differences. A better perceived condition of traffic safety would promote urban population to engage in more transportation and leisure-time PA. Clinical trial number ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.
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spelling doaj-art-cecd3ab1cadb436db8e7d2171870c0bd2025-08-20T03:01:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-22138-zPerceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in ChileRodrigo Fuentes Kloss0Jaime Cerda Lorca1Attilio Rigotti Rivera2Belen Fierro Saldaña3Eduardo Rossato de Victo4Gerson Ferrari5Departamento de Kinesiologia. Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina. , Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileDepartamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Pontifica Universidad Católica de ChileDepartamento de Nutrición, Diabetes y Metabolismo, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileUnidad de Pedagogía Interfacultades, Facultad de Educación, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileDisciplina de Alergia, Imunologia Clínica e Reumatologia do Departamento de Pediatria da Universidade Federal de São PauloEscuela de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte y la Salud, Universidad de Santiago de ChileAbstract Background Various indicators of neighborhood environmental perceptions are differently associated with physical activity (PA) domains, with notable variations by sex. However, few studies in Latin America have examined these associations across distinct PA domains. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between neighborhood environmental perceptions and PA in the domains of transportation and leisure among Chilean adults. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study included 770 participants from the 2014–2016 Latin American Nutrition and Health Survey (ELANS). Perceptions of land use diversity, access to land use, street connectivity, walking and cycling infrastructure, aesthetics, safety from crime, and neighborhood traffic were assessed using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A) questionnaire. PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF), focusing on the transportation and leisure-time domains. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were used for the analysis. Results Logistic regression analysis in men showed no association between neighborhood characteristics and PA in the transportation or leisure-time domains. However, for women, greater perception of facilities for walking or cycling was inversely associated with transportation PA (OR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.42;0.92). In the multiple linear regression analysis, higher perceived traffic safety was associated with greater PA (min/week) for both transportation (β: 0.098; 95%CI: 0.005;0.192) and leisure time (β: 0.160, 95%CI: 0.012;0.309). For men, higher scores for perceived access to land use were inversely associated with leisure-time PA (β: -0.150, 95%CI: -0.266;-0.034). Conclusions Different perceived neighborhood characteristics are associated with PA across various domains, with notable gender differences. A better perceived condition of traffic safety would promote urban population to engage in more transportation and leisure-time PA. Clinical trial number ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22138-zNeighborhood perceptionPhysical activityBuilt environmentActive transportationGenderChile
spellingShingle Rodrigo Fuentes Kloss
Jaime Cerda Lorca
Attilio Rigotti Rivera
Belen Fierro Saldaña
Eduardo Rossato de Victo
Gerson Ferrari
Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
BMC Public Health
Neighborhood perception
Physical activity
Built environment
Active transportation
Gender
Chile
title Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
title_full Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
title_fullStr Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
title_full_unstemmed Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
title_short Perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in Chile
title_sort perceived neighborhood built environment and physical activity in urban population in chile
topic Neighborhood perception
Physical activity
Built environment
Active transportation
Gender
Chile
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22138-z
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