A Multilevel Analysis of Physical Activity and the Local Environment in Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Hence promoting physical activity is a public health priority and there are growing interests in implementing environmental factors to promote physical activity within the community. This study examines environmental factors affecting engagement in recommended levels of physical activity. Methods: A sample of 22,232 subjects (9,930 male, 12,302 female) with a mean age of 45.9±16.0 residing in 25 Gu in Seoul were collected from the 2010 Community Health Survey. Environmental factors ranging from local exercise areas to total area of green space were collected from the City of Seouls Statistics database. Multilevel logistic analysis was conducted to explore whether environmental characteristics were associated with physical activity. Results: Overall, 31.4% of subjects met the guidelines for physical activity. Multilevel analysis showed only private facilities per 1,000 people was associated with physical activity (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.58). Significant variance of physical activity was present between areas, and after adjustments of individual-level factors, the variance decreased, and inclusion of community-level variance, the variability between communities was further reduced. Conclusion: This research shows that the number of facilities available for physical activity in communities has a positive association with meeting physical activity guidelines. However, there was no evidence of an association between other environmental characteristics and physical activity.