Social Ecological Mapping of Physical Activity Behaviours and Health Outcomes in Deprived Inner-city Communities
Introduction
As part of the National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI), funded by the Medical Research Council, Professor Rachel Davey of Staffordshire University's Centre for Sport and Exercise Research, together with colleagues from IESR, studied environmental determinants of physical activity behaviours and health outcomes in Stoke-on-Trent. Neighbourhoods were mapped in detail to allow evaluation of the relationship between the environment, physical activity and health.Background and context
Increasing population physical activity is a high priority for improving
public health. There is growing recognition that a sedentary lifestyle is
being driven by environmental factors that affect individuals' physical
activity choices and health behaviours. In other words, the environments
in which we live, and with which we interact, have become ones that encourage
lifestyle choices that decrease physical activity.
Individual health behaviours such as poor diet, lack of physical activity
and smoking are well known risk factors for a variety of preventable conditions.
The specific emphasis of this project was on determining what specific aspects
of the urban environment encourage and support a more physically active
'community' lifestyle.
Summary of project research
The mapping approach adopted a social ecological perspective, with a view
to better understand (and, in future, change) the relationship between the
environment and health behaviours, such as physical activity.
An example of green space ‘accessibility’ analysis using GIS © Staffordshire University.
© Crown copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 27353.
The GIS analysis involved the creation of a ‘pedestrian network’ of roads and pathways and used network analysis to measure distance (accessibility) to green space, shops, local services and physical activity facilities.
Over 750 people were interviewed for a detailed questionnaire, examining their physical activity behaviours and their perception of their neighbourhood. 100 of these interviewees were asked to wear an accelerometer to measure their physical activity for a week.
In addition, a schools-based sample of 600 pupils was randomly selected from primary and secondary schools across the city. Physical Activity was measured over 7 days using accelerometry, height and weight measurements were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), and additional information about the structure of the school day and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded.
Examples of some of the indices/metrics and data that were collected and
analysed:
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
• Convenience and access to physical activity spaces/facilities
• Street connectivity
• “Walkability” Index
• Mass transport provision, active travel (walking/cycling)
• Type and density of food outlets
• Crime and anti-social behaviour
• Level of deprivation
• Land use mix
INDIVIDUAL FACTORS
a. Community survey (adults)
• Physical activity levels and health-related behaviours
• Health status
• Chronic disease and mortality rate
• Neighbourhood quality of life
• Social capital
• Socio-demographic information
• Perceived barriers to physical activity, subjective norms, behaviour change
• Height and weight (BMI)
b. School survey (children)
• Physical activity levels and health-related behaviours
• Perceived barriers to physical activity, attitudes, enjoyment, behaviour
change
• Height and weight (BMI)
Although this project was restricted to physical activity, the approach
used could be applied with other lifestyle behaviours considered a risk
to health, eating behaviour being an obvious example.
Project impact
Findings from the project will inform public policy for increasing population
physical activity, urban design and renewal.
This research was part of the National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI)
and is funded by the Medical Research Council.
Project team:
Professor Rachel Davey: Principal Investigator, Centre for Sport and Exercise Research, Staffordshire University (now at the Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, Canberra, Australia).
E: r.davey@staffs.ac.uk or
Christine Dover: Project Administration Officer
E: c.j.dover@staffs.ac.uk T:
01782 294110
Professor Tom Cochrane: Data and Statistical Co-ordinator
E: t.cochrane@staffs.ac.uk
Jon Fairburn: GIS and Data Co-ordinator
E: jon.fairburn@staffs.ac.uk
Dr Chris Gidlow: Post-Doctoral Researcher
E: c.gidlow@staffs.ac.uk
Graham Smith: Research Associate, GIS
E: g.r.smith@staffs.ac.uk
Project reports and publications
Technical report can be downloaded here (12,811KB)
Gidlow, Christopher; Cochrane, Thomas; Davey, Rachel C.; Smith, Graham; Fairburn, Jon (2010) Relative importance of physical and social aspects of perceived neighbourhood environment for self-reported health. Preventive Medicine, 51(2): 157-163.
Smith, Graham; Gidlow, Christopher; Davey, Rachel; and Foster, Charles (2010) What is my walking neighbourhood? A pilot study of English adults' definitions of their local walking neighbourhoods. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7: 34.
Cochrane, Thomas; Davey, Rachel C.; Gidlow, Chris; Smith, Graham R.; Fairburn, Jon; Armitage, Christopher J.; Stephansen, Hilde and Speight, Svetlana (2009) Small area and individual level predictors of physical activity in urban communities: a multi-level study in Stoke on Trent, England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6(2): 654-677.
Davey, Rachel C.; Cochrane, Thomas; Gidlow, Christopher; Fairburn, Jon and Smith, Graham (2008) Design of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial: ecological approach to increasing physical activity in an urban community. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 29, 774-782.
Gidlow, Christopher J., Cochrane, Tom, Davey, Rachel and Smith, Hannah (2008) In-school and out-of-school physical activity in primary and secondary school children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26, 1411-1419.