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Gender differences in perceived environmental correlates of physical activity
Enrique Garcia Bengoechea1, John C Spence, Kerry R McGannon
1Alberta Centre for Active Living, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation E-424 Van Vliet, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. enrique.garcia@ualberta.ca
The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
|September 15, 2005
Summary
Gender influences how neighborhood perceptions relate to physical activity. For men, environmental factors like access to activity spaces and interesting sights boost leisure-time physical activity, but these links disappear for women when self-efficacy is considered.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Environmental Psychology
- Sociology of Sport
Background:
- Limited research exists on gender differences in perceived environmental factors influencing physical activity (PA).
- Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of gender in the relationship between perceived neighborhood environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA).
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey assessed LTPA, neighborhood perceptions, and self-efficacy in 1209 adults in Alberta, Canada.
- Logistic regression analyses examined the association between environmental factors and LTPA, controlling for sociodemographic variables and self-efficacy.
Main Results:
- Women perceived neighborhoods as less safe for night walks and less accessible for PA compared to men.
- For men, access to PA facilities and neighborhood aesthetics were linked to higher LTPA.
- For women, perceived environmental factors were not significantly associated with LTPA after controlling for self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Gender may moderate the association between perceived environment and PA.
- Interventions to increase PA may need to consider gender-specific environmental perceptions and self-efficacy.