Exploring the association between physical activity, heart disease, and aspects of the environment including interpersonal and community factors

• Main Author: Ryan, Devonne M.(Devonne Mary)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2012
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/2391/; https://research.library.mun.ca/2391/1/Ryan_DevonneM.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/2391/3/Ryan_DevonneM.pdf

Purpose: To explore the association between regular physical activity, heart disease and aspects of the environment, including interpersonal and community factors. -- Methods: The 2011 Survey of Residents of St. John's, a representative telephone survey, provided data on English-speaking adults, 19 years and older, from St. John's, Newfoundland. From this, we created a novel interpersonal index based on sense of belonging and on satisfaction with family and friends and community level factors. We then used logistic regression to examine the association. -- Results: After controlling for age and sex, individuals who reported being physically active on a daily basis were more likely to have higher scores on the interpersonal index, were more likely to have a positive impression of outdoor spaces as a place to be active and were more likely to report feeling safe and secure in their environment than individuals who reported not being physically active. In addition, individuals with heart disease were more likely to rate their impression of active outdoor spaces (i.e. spaces where they were active) negatively than those without heart disease. -- Interpretation: The socio-ecological model of health provides researchers with a framework to study communities. This framework shows that St. John's residents rely on interpersonal and community support for daily physical activity. Strategies to encourage residents to be active should be based on this concept.