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Environmental Perceptions Related to Physical Activity in High- and Low-Risk Counties

Debra A. Krummel, PhD, RD

Department of Community Medicine in the School of Medicine at West Virginia University in Morgantown

Nicole Morrison, MPH

Paul M. Gordon, PhD, MPH, FACSM

Division of Exercise Physiology in the School of Medicine at West Virginia University in Morgantown

To identify whether perceptions about the physical activity environment were related to the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, residents from high-risk (n = 153) or low-risk (n = 100) counties were interviewed. County risk status was determined by the prevalence of cardiovascular mortality, overweight, and sedentary lifestyle. Key public officials in the same counties were also interviewed. Residents in the low-risk county were more likely to report having sidewalks in their community and that these sidewalks were safe and well lit than residents living in the high-risk counties. Low-risk county residents also reported more indoor recreation facilities being available than the residents in the high-risk counties. Residents supported allocating tax dollars toward improving sidewalks, lighting, and so on. Thus a more conducive environment for physical activity was found in the low-risk county. Improving physical environments and individual perceptions could help increase physical activity behavior.

Key Words: physical activity • environment

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