Contextual Effects of Built and Social Environment of Urban Neighborhoods on Physical Activity: A Multilevel Study in Chicago

Ming Wen, University of Utah
Xingyou Zhang, American Academy of Family Physicians

Using multiple data sources, we conduct a multilevel analysis of how built and social environment of local neighborhoods affects physical activity net of personal background in Chicago. For regular exercise over last year, neighborhood deprivation and social capital are both significant correlates. Meanwhile, among the built environment factors, access to restaurants and bars, and access to art, culture, leisure, and entertainment facilities are significant and promoting factors of regular exercise, net of effects of individual socio-demographic background and neighborhood structural and social factors. For weekly workout or exercise, neighborhood deprivation and social capital are not significant. By contrast, nearly all the built environment variables are significant except for block density and distance to subway. We will also explore the spill over effects of neighboring areas using multilevel spatial regression techniques. Both the social and the physical aspects of local neighborhoods are important for active living lifestyle at the individual level.