The Relationship Between Built Environment Infrastructure and Physical Activity Levels of African American Adults in Mississippi
Austin Barnett, MS1, Craig Hughes2, Jennifer L. Lemacks, PhD, RD3, Tammy Greer, PhD3, Sermin Aras, MS, RD3
1Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholar, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, MS
2Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholar, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
3Mississippi INBRE Telenutrition Center, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, 45.2% of African American adults in Mississippi are classified as obese and, relatedly, 61.1% do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. Access to and condition of built environment infrastructure (BEI), such as parks and sidewalks, can potentially increase PA levels and lower rates of obesity in health disparate groups, especially those with lower income. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between BEI and PA levels in African Americans in Mississippi and whether that relationship is moderated by income. Data collected from paper and pencil surveys and electronic surveys were analyzed using SPSS 20. Eligible participants included 108 African American adults (27 male and 81 female) who were recruited from outreach events conducted at a university and in Mississippi minority communities. The dependent variable in this study was PA and the independent variables were income and BEI computed as the mean of three variables (sidewalk condition, park proximity, and park condition). A simple correlation and moderated multiple regression were used to determine the relationship between these variables. Multiple regression showed BEI and income were not significant predictors of PA levels. However, the simple correlations provide some evidence of PA levels being related to BEI, with condition of sidewalks (r=.250, p=<.05), and proximity of parks (r=.269, p=<.05), but not condition of parks (r=.190 p=>.05) being associated with PA levels. Further research is needed to elaborate on how BEI can increase PA and whether income influences this relationship.