Perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity in 11 countries: do associations differ by country?

Background: Increasing empirical evidence supports associations between neighborhood environments and physical activity. However, since most studies were conducted in a single country, particularly western countries, the generalizability of associations in an international setting is not well understood. The current study examined whether associations between perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and physical activity differed by country.

Patterns of neighborhood environment attributes related to physical activity across 11 countries: a latent class analysis.

Background: Neighborhood environment studies of physical activity (PA) have been mainly single-country focused. The International Prevalence Study (IPS) presented a rare opportunity to examine neighborhood features across countries. The purpose of this analysis was to: 1) detect international neighborhood typologies based on participants' response patterns to an environment survey and 2) to estimate associations between neighborhood environment patterns and PA.

Obstacles to action in arthritis: a community case-control study.

Objective: Despite the benefits of physical activity, people with arthritis are less active than the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the motivators and obstacles to physical activity for adults with arthritis.

Methods: Participants were identified from the Obstacles to Action Study, a community based study of 8163 adults, which explored barriers and motivators to physical activity.

Neighborhood environments and physical activity among adults in 11 countries.

Background: Understanding environmental correlates of physical activity can inform policy changes. Surveys were conducted in 11 countries using the same self-report environmental variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, allowing analyses with pooled data.

Methods: The participating countries were Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China (Hong Kong), Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U.

The New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaires: validation by heart-rate monitoring in a multiethnic population.

Background: This study validated the short- and long-form New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaires (NZPAQ-SF and NZPAQ-LF) against heart-rate monitoring (HRM) with individual calibration.

Methods: A multiethnic sample (N = 180), age 19 to 86 y, underwent HRM for 3 consecutive days while simultaneously completing physical activity (PA) logs.

Results: Both NZPAQs showed significant (p < .

Associations between physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors in older New Zealanders.

Background: Physical activity is a key component of healthy aging. We investigated the relationships between physical activity measures and lifestyle risk factors.

Methods: Representative population data (N = 1894) of New Zealand adults aged 60 years and older were analysed to study the association between physical activity, smoking, overweight, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Physical activity advice in the primary care setting: results of a population study in New Zealand.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of physical activity advice, including the Green Prescription (a physical activity scripting scheme), given in the primary care setting, and the characteristics of New Zealanders who receive such advice.

Method: Questions from a 2003 national postal survey (n = 8,291), 'Obstacles to Action', were examined. The survey was designed to identify population segments to target for physical activity interventions.

Metabolic equivalent (MET) intensities of culturally-specific physical activities performed by New Zealanders.

Aims: This study's purpose was to objectively measure the intensity, expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs), of free-living physical activities (PAs) performed by New Zealanders.

Methods: A sample of 186 European/Other (n=60), Maori (n=61), and Pacific (n=65) males and females (mean age 48.6 plus or minus 16.

Trust levels of physical activity information sources: a population study.

Issue Addressed: To examine levels of trust for various sources of physical activity information.

Methods: Questions from a 2003 nationally representative survey (n=8,291), Obstacles to Action, relating to how much respondents would trust various sources of physical activity information, were examined.

Results: The most trusted source of physical activity information was the general practitioner (GP) and the least trusted source was the Internet.

Evaluation of the national 'Push Play' campaign in New Zealand--creating population awareness of physical activity.

Aims: Physical inactivity is considered to be as detrimental to public health as hypertension or tobacco use, but there is limited evidence on the impact of community-wide interventions in this area. This paper describes the impact of an initiative to increase physical activity at a population level in New Zealand.

Methods: A media-led, community-wide intervention campaign was initiated by the Hillary Commission (now SPARC, Sport and Recreation New Zealand).