Perceived neighborhood environment and leisure time physical activity among adults from Curitiba, Brazil

<div><p>Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and leisure time physical activity (PA) and the moderator effect of gender, age, schooling and time spent working/studying on perceived environment and leisure PA in adults. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 699 adults (53.1% women), distributed from 32 census tracts selected according to walkability and neighborhood income characteristics in Curitiba. Perceived neighborhood characteristics were assessed using the Brazilian version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (A-NEWS). Leisure time PA was evaluated through the long-version IPAQ and walking and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were analyzed separately. PA classification considered ≥10 minutes/week and ≥150 minutes/week of walking or MVPA. Associations were tested using a multilevel logistic binary model. After adjusting for potential confounders, aesthetics perception was associated with ≥10 minutes/week of walking. Additionally, access to public places for leisure remained associated with ≥10 minutes/week and ≥150 minutes/week of MVPA. The relationship between perceived access to public spaces, walking and MVPA were stronger in women and younger adults. It is concluded that a better perception of neighborhood aesthetics was associated with the practice of walking and access to public spaces with the practice of MVPA, respectively.</p></div

Physical activity opportunities in public and private schools from Curitiba, Brazil

<div><p>Abstract The school represents an space with opportunities for physical activity (PA)practice in children and adolescents. However, there is still limited evidence on local strategies, structures and policies for PA in the school environment in Brazil. The aim of the study was to identify PA opportunities in public and private schools in Curitiba, Brazil. A total of one hundred sixty one schools were identified from a household survey conducted with adolescents from Curitiba, Brazil from which 107 (72.6% publics) participated in this study. One physical education teacher from each participant school was interviewed. Nearly all schools offered two weekly PE classes (97.1%), lengthing 45 to 50 minutes (95.7%). PE annual training was more frequent among public schools (92.9%). Most schools offered one recess interval (92.3%). However, recess interval of 16-30 minutes (75.0%), supervised (65.6%) and with PA equipment (65.6%) were more frequent among private schools. After school activities were offered in eight out of ten schools, and PA opportunities in other contexts were more frequent in private schools (40.0% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.003). However, more public schools participated in state sponsored programs (57.6% versus 31.2%, p = 0.011). Opportunities for PA in the investigated schools is offering by insufficient frequency and length for promoting PA at the recommended levels in this context.</p></div

Additional file 1 of How do the year’s seasons and specific weather indices affect physical activity and the patterns of use of public open spaces in the Brazilian context?

Additional file 1. Association between the seasonal factors and the presence of the users in the POS, stratified by seasons