Read the article:
Read the article in BMC Public Health (open access): The interplay between social environment and opportunities for physical activity within the built environment: a scoping review.
What is the study about?
This is a scoping review (systematic literature search). A total of 72 studies were included in the review for further analysis. The study seeks to clarify the interplay between the social environment (especially socioeconomic status/SES) and opportunities for physical activity (PA) within four types of built environments: walking infrastructure, cycling infrastructure, neighbourhood parks and open spaces, and sports facilities.
Main conclusions:
- Socioeconomic status (SES) and urban planning significantly impact access to opportunities for physical activity (PA).
- High-SES areas typically enjoy superior and more extensive PA infrastructure (walking, cycling, parks, and facilities) compared to low-SES areas.
- Individual factors like perceptions of **safety and aesthetics** are crucial to PA behavior and can often surpass the influence of the objective physical setting, especially in low-SES areas.
- Urban planning policies must adopt an inclusive approach, considering the varied needs of different population groups to ensure equitable access to PA resources.
Published: 2024
Authors:
Jens Høyer-Kruse, Eva Berthelsen Schmidt, Anne Faber Hansen and Marlene Rosager Lund Pedersen.
Contact:
Jens Høyer-Kruse, jhkruse@health.sdu.dk.
Funding:
Nordea-fonden.