Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(2), 654-677; doi:10.3390/ijerph6020654
Article

Small Area and Individual Level Predictors of Physical Activity in Urban Communities: A Multi-Level Study in Stoke on Trent, England

Thomas Cochrane 1,* email, Rachel C. Davey 1 email, Chris Gidlow 1 email, Graham R. Smith 2 email, Jon Fairburn 2 email, Christopher J. Armitage 3 email, Hilde Stephansen 4 email and Svetlana Speight 4 email
1 Centre for Sport & Exercise Research, Staffordshire University, Leek Road Campus, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DF, United Kingdom 2 Institute for Environment and Sustainability Research, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DE, United Kingdom 3 Department of Psychology, Sheffield University, Sheffield, S10 2TP, United Kingdom 4 NatCen, National Centre for Social Research, 35 Northampton Square, London EC1V 0AX, United Kingdom
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 18 November 2008 / Accepted: 10 February 2009 / Published: 13 February 2009
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health: Feature Papers)
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Abstract: Reducing population physical inactivity has been declared a global public health priority. We report a detailed multi-level analysis of small area indices and individual factors as correlates of physical activity in deprived urban areas. Multi-level regression analysis was used to investigate environmental and individual correlates of physical activity. Nine individual factors were retained in the overall model, two related to individual intentions or beliefs, three to access to shops, work or fast food outlets and two to weather; age and gender being the other two. Four area level indices related to: traffic, road casualties, criminal damage and access to green space were important in explaining variation in physical activity.
Keywords: Physical activity; public health; environment; multi-level analysis; beliefs; intentions; perceptions of neighbourhood; area level influences

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MDPI and ACS Style

Cochrane, T.; Davey, R.C.; Gidlow, C.; Smith, G.R.; Fairburn, J.; Armitage, C.J.; Stephansen, H.; Speight, S. Small Area and Individual Level Predictors of Physical Activity in Urban Communities: A Multi-Level Study in Stoke on Trent, England. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6, 654-677.

AMA Style

Cochrane T, Davey RC, Gidlow C, Smith GR, Fairburn J, Armitage CJ, Stephansen H, Speight S. Small Area and Individual Level Predictors of Physical Activity in Urban Communities: A Multi-Level Study in Stoke on Trent, England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2009; 6(2):654-677.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cochrane, Thomas; Davey, Rachel C.; Gidlow, Chris; Smith, Graham R.; Fairburn, Jon; Armitage, Christopher J.; Stephansen, Hilde; Speight, Svetlana. 2009. "Small Area and Individual Level Predictors of Physical Activity in Urban Communities: A Multi-Level Study in Stoke on Trent, England." Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 6, no. 2: 654-677.

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