Perception of safety is a prerequisite for the association between neighbourhood green qualities and physical activity: Results from a cross-sectional study in Sweden

Hanna Weimann; Lars Rylander; Matilda Annerstedt van den Bosch; Maria Albin; Erik Skärbäck; Patrik Grahn; Jonas Björk

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.011

Perception of safety is a prerequisite for the association between neighbourhood green qualities and physical activity: Results from a cross-sectional study in Sweden

Health Place. 2017 May:45:124-130. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.011. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Authors

Hanna Weimann¹, Lars Rylander², Matilda Annerstedt van den Bosch³, Maria Albin⁴, Erik Skärbäck⁵, Patrik Grahn⁶, Jonas Björk⁷

Affiliations

¹ Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: hanna.weimann@med.lu.se.
² Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: lars.rylander@med.lu.se.
³ Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden; Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden; School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4. Electronic address: matilda.vandenbosch@ubc.ca.
⁴ Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden; Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-113 65 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.albin@med.lu.se.
⁵ Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden. Electronic address: erik.skarback@slu.se.
⁶ Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden. Electronic address: patrik.grahn@slu.se.
⁷ Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jonas.bjork@med.lu.se.

PMID: 28359908
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.011

Abstract

In this study, we assess how the Scania Green Score (SGS5), and the five distinct perceived neighbourhood green dimensions within this area-aggregated index (1km² squares), is associated with self-reported physical activity and general health, and if perceived safety and social coherence has a moderating effect. Two independent surveys, both conducted in Scania, Sweden, was used for data on SGS5 and health outcomes (N=28 198 and N=23 693), respectively. SGS5 was more clearly associated with physical activity (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.10) than with general health (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.04). This association was moderated by safety (p for interaction <0.001); SGS5 was positively associated with physical activity only among individuals who perceived high safety in their neighbourhood (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.11). No moderating effect was seen for social coherence. Among specific dimensions, cultural history was positively associated with both physical activity and general health. Our results suggest that perception of safety is a prerequisite for the positive effects of neighbourhood green qualities.

Keywords: General health; Green quality; Green space; Neighbourhood safety; Neighbourhood social coherence; Physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Environment Design
Exercise / physiology*
Female
Health Status
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Parks, Recreational
Perception*
Residence Characteristics*
Safety*
Socioeconomic Factors
Sweden