Association between perception of community environment and physical activity in residents in Suzhou

Objective: To estimate physical activity level in residents in Suzhou and explore the association between community environment and physical activity level in local residents. Methods: Through multistage stratified random sampling, residents aged 25-64 years in Suzhou were surveyed by face-to face interview in 2017. Physical activity levels were assessed by the international physical activity questionnaire-long version (IPAQ-L). Perceptions of community environment were assessed by Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A). Results: Among the local residents surveyed in Suzhou,the median of weekly total physical activity level was 3 610.42 MET-min/w. The level of occupational physical activity was higher than that of transportation, household and leisure-time related physical activity levels. After controlling for socio-demographic factors, public service access was negatively associated with the overall physical activity level (OR=0.522,95%CI:0.329-0.830), land-use mix-diversity was negatively associated with the level of occupational physical activity level (OR=0.701,95%CI: 0.492-0.999), infrastructure of walk and cycle ways was positively associated with occupational physical activity level (OR=1.603,95%CI:1.004-2.559); traffic hazards were negatively associated with the transportation physical activity level (OR=0.642,95%CI: 0.416-0.990); residential building density was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity level (OR=1.001,95%CI: 1.000-1.002), and the perceptions level of community environment were positively associated with the occupational, transportation, household and overall physical activity levels (OR=1.889,95%CI: 1.176-3.033;OR=1.671,95%CI: 1.120-2.495;OR=1.775,95%CI: 1.143-2.756;OR=1.593,95%CI: 1.079-2.350). Conclusion: Improving infrastructure of walk and cycle ways and beautifying community environment play an important role in increasing the physical activity level of the residents.