Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7(1), 60-77; doi:10.3390/ijerph7010060
Article

The Influence of Individual, Social and Physical Environment Factors on Physical Activity in the Adult Population in Andalusia, Spain

Julia Bolívar* email, Antonio Daponteemail, Miguel Rodríguezemail and José Juan Sánchezemail
Andalusian School of Public Health (Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública), Cuesta del Observatorio 4, 18080 Granada, Spain
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 24 October 2009 / Accepted: 16 December 2009 / Published: 5 January 2010
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Abstract: A person’s physical and social environment is considered as an influencing factor in terms of rates of engagement in physical activity. This study analyses the influence of socio-demographic, physical and social environmental factors on physical activity reported in the adult population in Andalusia. This is a cross-sectional study using data collected in the Andalusia Health Survey in 1999 and 2003. In addition to the influence of the individual’s characteristics, if there are no green spaces in the neighbourhood it is less likely that men and women will take exercise (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.13, 1.41). Likewise, a higher local illiteracy rate also has a negative influence on exercise habits in men (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.21, 1.59) and in women (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.40). Physical activity is influenced by individuals’ characteristics as well as by their social and physical environment, the most disadvantaged groups are less likely to engage in physical activity.
Keywords: physical activity; social environment; socio-economic factors; environment; Spain

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bolívar, J.; Daponte, A.; Rodríguez, M.; Sánchez, J.J. The Influence of Individual, Social and Physical Environment Factors on Physical Activity in the Adult Population in Andalusia, Spain. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7, 60-77.

AMA Style

Bolívar J, Daponte A, Rodríguez M, Sánchez JJ. The Influence of Individual, Social and Physical Environment Factors on Physical Activity in the Adult Population in Andalusia, Spain. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2010; 7(1):60-77.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bolívar, Julia; Daponte, Antonio; Rodríguez, Miguel; Sánchez, José Juan. 2010. "The Influence of Individual, Social and Physical Environment Factors on Physical Activity in the Adult Population in Andalusia, Spain." Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 7, no. 1: 60-77.

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