Understanding the contribution of public- and restricted-access places to overall and domain-specific physical activity among Mexican adults: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2020 Feb 7;15(2):e0228491. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228491. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Latin Americans engage in physical activity (PA) in unique ways and use a wider range of places for PA than those commonly studied in high-income settings. We examined the contribution of a variety of places and domains of PA to meeting PA recommendations among a sample of adults (18-65 y) from all over Mexico. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 (n = 3 686). Overall and domain-specific PA was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Use of places for PA was self-reported. Places were classified as private or public. In 2018, associations between specific places and meeting PA recommendations (≥150 mins/week) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models. In total 72.1% met PA recommendations. The proportion meeting recommendations through domain-specific PA was highest for leisure-time PA (50.0%), followed by travel-related (39.1%) and work-related (24.9%) PA. The most commonly reported places for PA were home (43%), parks (40.7%) and streets (39.4%) (public). Use of most public places was positively associated with meeting PA recommendations, mainly through travel-related PA (Streets OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.71-2.45]; Cycling paths OR 1.91 [1.37-2.68]). Using private places was more strongly associated with PA, mainly leisure-time PA (Gyms OR 9.66 [7.34-12.70]); Sports facilities OR 5.03 [3.27-7.74]). In conclusion, public and private places were important contributors to PA. While public places may be a powerful setting for PA promotion, increasing the equitable access for all to private places may also represent an effective strategy to increase PA among Mexican adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bicycling / physiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environment Design*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Parks, Recreational / statistics & numerical data
  • Private Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Public Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Residence Characteristics* / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.11803488.v1