BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases and obesity are considered problems of wealthy, developed countries. These conditions are rising dramatically in developing countries. Most existing research on the role of the physical environment to support physical activity examines developed countries only. OBJECTIVES: This review identifies physical environment factors that are associated with physical activity in developing countries. METHODS: This review is modeled on a highly cited review by Saelens and Handy in 2008. The current review analyzes findings from 159 empirical studies in the 138 developing countries. RESULTS: Results discuss the association of physical environment features and physical activity for all developing countries and identify the patterns within regions. The review supports the association of traffic safety with physical activity for transportation. Rural (vs urban) residence, distance to nonresidential land uses, and "composite" features of the physical environment are associated with general physical activity. Rural (vs urban) residence is associated with physical activity for work. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on associations between the physical environment and physical activity in developing countries. Research should identify specific physical environment features in urban areas that are associated with higher activity levels.
BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases and obesity are considered problems of wealthy, developed countries. These conditions are rising dramatically in developing countries. Most existing research on the role of the physical environment to support physical activity examines developed countries only. OBJECTIVES: This review identifies physical environment factors that are associated with physical activity in developing countries. METHODS: This review is modeled on a highly cited review by Saelens and Handy in 2008. The current review analyzes findings from 159 empirical studies in the 138 developing countries. RESULTS: Results discuss the association of physical environment features and physical activity for all developing countries and identify the patterns within regions. The review supports the association of traffic safety with physical activity for transportation. Rural (vs urban) residence, distance to nonresidential land uses, and "composite" features of the physical environment are associated with general physical activity. Rural (vs urban) residence is associated with physical activity for work. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on associations between the physical environment and physical activity in developing countries. Research should identify specific physical environment features in urban areas that are associated with higher activity levels.
Authors: María Rivera-Ochoa; Javier Brazo-Sayavera; Barbara Vizmanos-Lamotte; Asier Mañas; Juan Ricardo López-Taylor; Marcela González-Gross; Amelia Guadalupe-Grau Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-02 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Louise Foley; Anna Brugulat-Panés; James Woodcock; Ishtar Govia; Ian Hambleton; Eleanor Turner-Moss; Ebele R I Mogo; Alice Charity Awinja; Philip M Dambisya; Sostina Spiwe Matina; Lisa Micklesfield; Safura Abdool Karim; Lisa Jayne Ware; Marshall Tulloch-Reid; Felix Assah; Caitlin Pley; Nadia Bennett; Georgina Pujol-Busquets; Kufre Okop; Tanmay Anand; Camille M Mba; Haowen Kwan; Gudani Mukoma; Megha Anil; Lambed Tatah; Lee Randall Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2021-11-06 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Marioli Y Farro-Maldonado; Glenda Gutiérrez-Pérez; Akram Hernández-Vásquez; Antonio Barrenechea-Pulache; Marilina Santero; Carlos Rojas-Roque; Diego Azañedo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-07-21 Impact factor: 3.240