Relationship between Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Vigorous Physical Activity among Adult Seoul Residents.

Lee, Chung Gun; Cho, Youngtae

doi:2009.42.4.215

J Prev Med Public Health > Volume 42(4); 2009 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2009;42(4): 215-222. doi: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.4.215

Relationship between Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Vigorous Physical Activity among Adult Seoul Residents.

Chung Gun Lee, Youngtae Cho

¹School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Korea. youngtae@snu.ac.kr
²Population Research Center, University of Texas-Austin, USA.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Vigorous physical activity is a well-known method to promote people s health. This research aims to investigate whether perceived neighborhood characteristics affect vigorous physical activity among adult Seoul residents (aged 19 to 64). METHODS: Utilizing the 2005 Seoul Citizens Health Indicators Survey data, this study estimates the probability of vigorous physical activity. Particular attention is given to the effects of three perceived neighborhood characteristics (satisfaction with relationship to the neighborhood, satisfaction with park and recreational facilities, and satisfaction with public security). Logistic regression models are analyzed separately by gender for the parameter estimation. RESULTS: Vigorous physical activity is positively associated with three perceived neighborhood characteristics for women, while neither significant nor substantive association is found for men. CONCLUSIONS: As vigorous physical activity among Seoul citizens is differentially affected by perceived neighborhood characteristics and by gender, a different approach will be needed to increase vigorous physical activity of men and women in Seoul.

Key words: Perceived neighborhood characteristics; Vigorous physical activity; Gender; Seoul; Adult