Association of Environmental Factors to Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations in Two South Carolina Counties

<jats:sec><jats:title>Purpose.</jats:title><jats:p> The purpose of the study was to examine associations between environment and policy factors and physical activity. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Design.</jats:title><jats:p> A random-digit-dialed, cross-sectional telephone survey was administered. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Setting.</jats:title><jats:p> The setting was a two-county area of eastern South Carolina. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Subjects.</jats:title><jats:p> Before weighting, the sample included 1936 adults; 36.9% African-American, 63.1% white, and 60.1% women. The age group distribution was 28.8% 55+ years, 39.3% 35–54 years, and 31.9% 18–34 years of age. The response rate was 62.9%. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Measures.</jats:title><jats:p> Six physical activity questions (2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey [BRFSS]) were used to create a dichotomous variable, “meets/does not meet recommendation for moderate or vigorous physical activity.” Self-report items assessed knowledge, presence, and use of recreational facilities; presence of environmental and worksite supports; perceived safety; condition of sidewalks; and quality of street lighting </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results.</jats:title><jats:p> Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Unadjusted odds for meeting the recommendation were significantly greater for well-maintained sidewalks (OR = 1.90); safe areas for walking/jogging (OR = 1.39); knowledge of routes for bicycling (OR = 1.38) and walking/jogging (OR = 1.32); and worksites with sports teams (OR = 1.53), exercise facilities (OR = 1.33), flexible time for exercise (OR = 1.33), and preventive checkups (OR = 1.26). Among persons who met the recommendation, means were greater for number of known walking/jogging routes (p = .04); number of known bicycling routes (p < .01); number of days per month uses tracks, trails, routes, pathways (p < .01); and number of days per month uses outdoor recreation areas (p < .01). </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion.</jats:title><jats:p> The results support an association between level of physical activity and environmental and policy factors in two southeastern counties in South Carolina. Limitations of the study include self-reported data and cross-sectional design. </jats:p></jats:sec>