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a Technical University
of Chemnitz, Germany, b University of Berne, Switzerland, c University of Jyväskylä, Finland, d University
of Alabama at Birmingham, United States of America, e University of Barcelona, Spain, f Limburg University Centre,
Belgium, g Netherlands Institute of
Primary Health Care, the Netherlands
Correspondence to: Professor Dr Rütten, Technical University of Chemnitz, Sport Science III, Research Centre for Regional Health Promotion, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany (alfred.ruetten{at}phil.tu-chemnitz.de)
Accepted for publication 8 May 2000
STUDY OBJECTIVE
The
focus of physical activity promotion is moving from methods for
increasing health enhancing physical activity on the individual level
to higher level strategies including environmental and policy approaches. Scientific inquiry, traditionally related to
individual-based strategies, requires adaptation and refinement when
environmental and policy changes become more relevant. The objective of
this study is to investigate the significance for behaviour and health of community-based environments that encourage physical activity.
DESIGN AND SETTINGThe
article presents data and results from a cross sectional comparative
survey of the general population in six European countries (Belgium,
Finland, Germany (East and West), Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland).
Specifically, the relation between perceived community-based
opportunities for physical activity, self reported physical activity,
and self rated health status is investigated.
PARTICIPANTSRepresentative
samples of general populations (adults 18 years or older). Overall
response rate: 53.5%. Sample sizes realised: Belgium: n = 389;
Finland: n = 400; Germany (East): n = 913; Germany (West): n = 489;
Netherlands: n = 366; Spain: n = 380; Switzerland: n =406.
MAIN RESULTSAnalyses
show that best opportunities are reported by people who are lightly to
moderately physically active. People's self rated health is
moderately, but significantly associated with both perceived
opportunities, and physical activity itself. These predictors interact
in that especially for women, the health impact of physical activity is
more pronounced in case of good opportunities.
CONCLUSIONSThe paper
shows the potential of opportunities within residential and community
environments with regard to physical activity, both for behaviour and
health. Opportunities may enable the population, especially women, to
develop an active lifestyle, and thus improve their health. Future
studies with objective indicators for physical activity related
environments should test the findings that are based on perceptions.
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