Combining Accelerometry and GPS to Assess Neighborhood-Based Physical Activity: Associations With Perceived Neighborhood Walkability

N.E.H. Stappers*, J. Schipperijn, S.P.J. Kremers, M.P.M. Bekker, M.W.J. Jansen, N.K. De Vries, D.H.H. Van Kann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explored associations between perceived neighborhood walkability and neighborhood-based physical activity (NB-PA) and assessed possible moderation effects of the amount of time spent in the home neighborhood and individual characteristics (i.e., educational level and health-related problems). In 2016 to 2017, 509 Dutch adults, living in the South Limburg area, were included. Context-specific PA levels were measured using the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer and the Qstarz BTQ1000XT GPS-logger. Perceived neighborhood walkability, level of education, work status, and health-related quality of life were measured with validated self-report instruments. Results showed that individuals with a lower level of education or health-related problems spent more time in the home neighborhood. The perceived neighborhood walkability only affected NB-PA for individuals spending a relatively large amount of time in their home neighborhood. PA-facilitating features in the home neighborhood, for example, aesthetics, were only associated with more NB-PA for individuals without health-related problems or with a higher level of education.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)732-752
JournalEnvironment and Behavior
Volume53
Issue number7
Early online date17 Feb 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • adults
  • global positioning system
  • health inequalities
  • home neighborhood environment
  • physical activity (walking, cycling, exercise)

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