Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Eichinger, M.
How are physical activity behaviors and cardiovascular risk factors associated with characteristics of the built and social residential environment?
[ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2013. pp. 40
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Stronegger Willibald
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- The aim of our study was to identify (i) perceptions of built and social residential characteristics and (ii) their association with major cardiovascular risk behaviors (different components of physical activity (PA), nutritional and smoking behavior) and risk factors (BMI and fasting blood glucose). A cross-sectional survey (n = 904, response rate = 82.2%) was conducted among participants (18¿91 years) of a preventive medical checkup at the Styrian District Health Insurance Fund (Austria). While self-reported data of the participants were obtained by means of a survey, a further part of the survey was completed by the medical staff in order to obtain measurements on certain cardiovascular risk parameters. We found that total PA was positively associated with high levels of pro-physical activity social modeling, and it was negatively related to perceived safety from crime. More leisure-time PA was strongly associated with higher levels of perceived availability/maintenance of cycling/walking infrastructure and high levels of pro-physical activity social modeling. Inverse relationships were found between leisure-time PA and perceived connectivity, perceived safety with regards to traffic, as well as perceived safety from crime. PA for transportation was positively related to high levels of perceived connectivity and high levels of pro-physical activity social modeling. Better behavioral cardiovascular risk factor profiles were associated with high levels of social modeling and high levels of total PA. Lower BMI values were associated with high levels of perceived satisfaction with the availability/maintenance of cycling/walking infrastructure, low levels of social cohesion, low levels of pro-physical activity social support and high levels of social modeling. Our results suggest that both built and social residential characteristics are important correlates of PA as well as of major cardiovascular risk factors besides PA.