Neighborhood factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in a Brazilian city.

This research estimated how leisure-time physical activity relates to environmental aspects in an adult population of a medium-sized city in Brazil. Nine hundred sixty-five adults (20­59 years) participated in a survey to give individual, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral information. Researchers also directly observed the environment to collect data and subsequently georeferenced it, to further apply regression models (statistical analysis). Being active during leisure, (i.e. practicing 150 min/week or more), was related to having more public (city squares and outdoor gyms, walking areas and university campus) and private physical activity facilities (clubs, courts, sports halls, soccer fields and gyms), as well as having greater availability of mixed food establishments (restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and hypermarkets). Therefore, environmental characteristics can contribute together to leisure-time physical activity and could be the focus of policies aimed at promoting physical activity in middle-income countries.