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December 2001, Vol 91, No. 12 | American Journal of Public Health 1995-2003
© 2001 American Public Health Association

RESEARCH

Environmental and Policy Determinants of Physical Activity in the United States

Ross C. Brownson, PhD, Elizabeth A. Baker, PhD, MPH, Robyn A. Housemann, PhD, MPH, Laura K. Brennan, MPH and Stephen J. Bacak, MPH

The authors are with the Department of Community Health and Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Ross C. Brownson, PhD, Department of Community Health and Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3663 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108-3342 (e-mail: brownson{at}slu.edu).

Objectives. This study examined (1) descriptive patterns in perceived environmental and policy determinants of physical activity and (2) associations between these factors and behavior.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1999 to 2000 among US adults; individuals at lower income levels were oversampled.

Results. Availability of areas for physical activity was generally higher among men than among women. The 4 most commonly reported personal barriers were lack of time, feeling too tired, obtaining enough exercise at one's job, and no motivation to exercise. Neighborhood characteristics, including the presence of sidewalks, enjoyable scenery, heavy traffic, and hills, were positively associated with physical activity. There was a high level of support for health policy–related measures. Up to one third of individuals who had used environmental supports reported an increase in physical activity.

Conclusions. An array of environmental and policy determinants, particularly those related to the physical environment, are associated with physical activity and should be taken into account in the design of interventions.




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