Objectives: In the present study, the association between objectively measured built environments and physical activity (PA) was examined.
Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS). A total of 82,419 individuals living in 546 neighborhoods of Gyeonggi province were analyzed. Built environments were measured by geographic information systems (GIS) using Korean government databases. PA was assessed using the IPAQ-short form. Multilevel logistic regression was performed.
Results: Living in a community with a short distance to parks was associated with a 42% increased odds of PA; living in a community with low population density was associated with a 21% decreased odds of PA. However, most variations in PA were attributed to individual factors. Additionally, gender-specific correlates associated with PA were observed.
Conclusions: Although the associations of individual factors with PA were stronger than of community factors, notably, built environments influenced most people in a community. Therefore, along with health education and service, policy makers and planners should consider more parks in less populated areas to create a supportive environment for PA.
Keywords: Built environment; GIS; Korea; Multilevel analysis; Physical activity.