Obesity as a moderator of the relationship between neighborhood environment and objective measures of physical activity in chilean adults

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between neighborhood environment and the objective measures of physical activity (PA) according to nutritional status in the adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. The information was collected from 161 representative subjects of the CESCAS study population from Temuco-Chile. The perception of the neighborhood environment was determined using the IPAQ Environmental-Module. PA was measured objectively by a triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Weight and height were measured. The relationship between the residential environment and the PA levels was summarized through linear regression models stratified by nutritional status. Results: The perceived residential environmental attributes that support active transport were positively associated with total moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) (beta 397 min/week, CI 80-714, p = 0.019) in people with normal nutritional status, but not in overweight and obese individuals. In addition, living near to a public transport stop was associated with higher levels of moderate PA only in normal-weight subjects (beta 383 min/week, CI 72-694, p = 0.021). Also living in a neighborhood with traffic safety was associated with higher levels of light PA in normal-weight subjects (beta 518 min/week, CI 208-829, p = 0.004). Conclusions: There was no significant association between perceived neighborhood environment and PA in people with obesity.