Associations of neighbourhood environmental attributes with adults' sedentary time: IPEN Adults multi-country study

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine associations of multiple perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes with total sedentary time assessed by accelerometer, using single environmental perceptions and a composite environmental index as the exposure variables. Region-specific and gender-specific associations were also examined. METHODS: Analyses of data from the International Physical activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study were conducted with 5,712 participants from 10 countries. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) was used to assess 10 perceived neighborhood attributes: residential density; land use mix - diversity; land use mix - access; street connectivity; infrastructure and safety for walking; aesthetics; traffic safety; safety from crime; streets having few cul-de-sacs; and, no physical barriers to walking. The composite environmental index was created by summing the standardized scores of variables positively related and subtracting the standardized scores of variables that were negatively related to sedentary time. Total minutes/day of sedentary time and total minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) were derived from accelerometer counts. Associations of each perceived environmental attribute and the composite environmental index with sedentary time were estimated using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs), adjusting for study site, socio-demographic covariates, objectively measured MVPA, accelerometer wear time and area-level socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Street connectivity was negatively related to sedentary time, while residential density, pedestrian infrastructure and safety and lack of barriers to walking were positively related. Perceived aesthetics and safety from crime were negatively related to sedentary time in women only. Land use mix was negatively related to sedentary time in men only. Associations did not differ significantly by study site. The predicted difference in sedentary time between those with the minimum (-9.2) and maximum (11.6) observed values on the composite environmental index was 71 min/day of sedentary time CONCLUSION: Positive associations of residential density, pedestrian infrastructure and safety and lack of barriers to walking with objectively-measured sedentary time were unexpected. Street connectivity, land use mix and aesthetics, which have been found to be related to physical activity, may also influence sedentary time. Synergistic relationships environmental attributes with sedentary time appear to be strong and require further investigation.