BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to: 1) explore the potential role of sex in the association between the perceived environment and walking; and 2) determine the efficacy of an Internet-based research platform for collecting population-level physical activity and correlates data. METHODS: Visitors to the Canada on the Move website were asked questions about their demographics, physical activity participation and perceptions of their neighbourhood environment. A total of 3,144 Canadians (2,036 women; 609 men) completed the survey. Level of walking was regressed on eight measures of perceived neighbourhood environment in a series of logistic regressions. RESULTS: Individuals who reported interesting scenery (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.71) and many places to go that were within easy walking distance (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.18-1.64) were more likely to report walking at a level sufficient to derive health benefits. For women, interesting scenery in and around their neighbourhood (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.13-1.74) and the presence of many places to go within easy walking distance (OR=1.42, 95% CI 1.17-1.72) were associated with walking at a sufficient level. Among men, no significant associations were found between the perceived environment measures and walking. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study provide additional support for the use of models in which sex is treated as a potential moderator of the link between the perceived environment and physical activity. Further, the results support the use of an Internet-based research platform to collect data on the correlates of physical activity.
BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to: 1) explore the potential role of sex in the association between the perceived environment and walking; and 2) determine the efficacy of an Internet-based research platform for collecting population-level physical activity and correlates data. METHODS: Visitors to the Canada on the Move website were asked questions about their demographics, physical activity participation and perceptions of their neighbourhood environment. A total of 3,144 Canadians (2,036 women; 609 men) completed the survey. Level of walking was regressed on eight measures of perceived neighbourhood environment in a series of logistic regressions. RESULTS: Individuals who reported interesting scenery (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.71) and many places to go that were within easy walking distance (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.18-1.64) were more likely to report walking at a level sufficient to derive health benefits. For women, interesting scenery in and around their neighbourhood (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.13-1.74) and the presence of many places to go within easy walking distance (OR=1.42, 95% CI 1.17-1.72) were associated with walking at a sufficient level. Among men, no significant associations were found between the perceived environment measures and walking. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study provide additional support for the use of models in which sex is treated as a potential moderator of the link between the perceived environment and physical activity. Further, the results support the use of an Internet-based research platform to collect data on the correlates of physical activity.
Authors: Delfien Van Dyck; Ester Cerin; Terry L Conway; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij; Neville Owen; Jacqueline Kerr; Greet Cardon; Lawrence D Frank; Brian E Saelens; James F Sallis Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2012-02-23 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Delfien Van Dyck; Greet Cardon; Benedicte Deforche; Billie Giles-Corti; James F Sallis; Neville Owen; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij Journal: Int J Behav Med Date: 2011-09
Authors: Donald Schopflocher; Eric VanSpronsen; John C Spence; Helen Vallianatos; Kim D Raine; Ronald C Plotnikoff; Candace I J Nykiforuk Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2012-07-26
Authors: Delfien Van Dyck; Ester Cerin; Terry L Conway; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij; Neville Owen; Jacqueline Kerr; Greet Cardon; Lawrence D Frank; Brian E Saelens; James F Sallis Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2012-06-12 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Anna Consoli; Alberto Nettel-Aguirre; John C Spence; Tara-Leigh McHugh; Kerry Mummery; Gavin R McCormack Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 3.240