| The goals of this study were to (1) assess whether perceptions of the environment reflect the objectively measured environment using kappa statistics and (2) examine the association between independent and combined effects of the objectively measured environment with perceptions of the environment and perceptions of the environment as barriers to physical activity using regression analyses. The neighborhood environment was divided into three distinct constructs for the purposes of this research: the built environment, the natural environment and crime.; Self-reported physical activity (leisure, walking, transportation), perceptions of the environment and perceptions of the environment as barriers to physical activity were obtained through a phone survey of adults in Forsyth County, NC and the city of Jackson, MS conducted in 2003. Objective measures of the environment were mapped and analyzed utilizing Geographic Information Systems for varying sized neighborhoods surrounding each participant's home address.; Little agreement was found between the perceived and objective environment for all environmental constructs. Several aspects of the perceived built environment were not associated with physical activity (i.e. traffic speed, traffic volume, sidewalks), however the perception of having places to walk and the presence of crosswalks were associated with physical activity. Several associations were also found between objective measures of the built environment (i.e. traffic speed, traffic volume, crashes) and physical activity. These associations remained, with similar magnitudes of association, when both perceived and objective measures were combined into one model, indicating that it is important to evaluate both the actual environment and perceptions of the environment due to their independent associations with physical activity. A number of associations were documented between perceived measures of the natural environment (i.e. weather, shade, hills) and physical activity, however, objective measures of the natural environment were not associated with physical activity. Objective measures of crime and perceived crime were independently associated with leisure activity indicating that perception of neighborhood safety and objective measures of crime are important correlates of physical activity.; In conclusion, it may not be adequate to measure perceptions of the environment without also considering the actual environment, especially when evaluating the relationship between the built environment or crime with physical activity. |
