Keep It Moving: Factors to Consider in Establishing an Interprofessional Approach to Promote Physical Activity Among US Adults in the Northeast

摘要

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern. In the United States (US), only 21% of adults meet the established guidelines [1]. Recommendations for adults aged 18 to 64 years include 150 minutes of moderate activity, with 2 days of muscle-strengthening to improve overall health and to lower the risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke [1]. Sedentary and inactive lifestyles increase the risks for developing many chronic and cardiovascular diseases and some cancers [1]. A growing body of literature focuses on built environments and its impact on physical activity using multilevel models. However, limited published research exists on cross level interaction effects between individual characteristics and environments. The purpose of this study was to examine environmental factors associated with physical activity for adults living in the Northeastern region of the United States (US) and to investigate whether these influences differ by subgroups of the population. The current study employed a cross-sectional research design among 45,251 adults, aged 18 years and older living in approximately 66 US counties. The dependent variable was physical activity level, measured as a dichotomous variable based on CDC's recommended physical activity guidelines. Data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was linked with the US Census Bureau, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Outdoor Recreation Supply Information System (NORSIS) databases. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine direct effects of five environmental factors and to examine cross level interactions between individual characteristics and environmental influences. Findings from this study indicate that effective interprofessional solutions and appropriate interventions are needed to promote regular physical activity among adults.