Does territoriality modify the relationship between perceived neighborhood challenges and physical activity? A multilevel analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Individuals who perceive more neighborhood challenges are less physically active. Territoriality, an observable positive marker of social presence and defensible space in the neighborhood, may influence the association between neighborhood challenges and physical activity (PA). We hypothesized that greater territoriality would reduce the negative effects of neighborhood challenges on PA levels.

Methods: Data were collected by the Healthy Environments Partnership in an urban Midwestern city. Multilevel regressions were used to test associations in a sample of 696 white, black, and Hispanic adults older than 25 years.

Results: Territoriality moderated associations between residents' perceptions of neighborhood challenges and PA. Contrary to our hypothesis, individuals who perceived more neighborhood challenges and lived in areas with more territoriality markers (e.g., buildings with decorations, buildings with security signage, and neighborhood watch signs) were less physically active than other respondents (b = -2.41, standard error = 0.84, P < .01).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that associations between perceived neighborhood challenges and PA are shaped by the context in which the individual lives. Our study provides empirical evidence that individual perceptions and observed neighborhood characteristics are joint contributors to PA and suggest the need for continued research to characterize the complexity of individual and contextual factors that contribute to PA.

Keywords: Neighborhoods; Physical activity; Territoriality.