Geographic Distribution of the Ciclovia and Recreovia Programs by Neighborhood SES in Bogotá: How Unequal is the Geographic Access Assessed Via Distance-based Measures?

Ciclovia, also known as Open Streets initiatives in other countries, are city streets that are closed to motorized traffic and opened during certain times to residents for engaging in physical activity (PA). These initiatives are viewed by policy makers and health and community advocates as being beneficial to social, environmental, and community health. This study explores the geographic distribution of Ciclovia and Recreovia and the differences in geographic access assessed via distance-based measures, based on the socioeconomic status (SES) of the area. Results from this study show that the median distance to the Ciclovia according to SES ranges from 2930 m for SES 1 (most disadvantaged) to 482 m for SES 6 (wealthiest). The median distance to the Recreovia sites ranges from 5173 m for SES 1 to 3869 m for SES 6. This study found revealing urban inequities in the distribution of Ciclovia, whereas there was less inequalities within the Recreovia sites. This study shows that urban interventions are needed to promote recreational activity and reduce health disparities in under resourced, low SES areas.

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia.

The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia / Condiciones sociales y ambientes urbanos asociados con la participación al programa de Ciclovía en adultos en Cali, Colombia / Condições sociais e ambientes urbanos associados à participação no programa Ciclovia entre adultos em Cali, Colômbia

Abstract The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Resumen El programa de Ciclovía (PC) ha surgido como una iniciativa efectiva para promover actividad física en el contexto urbano de América Latina. Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre las condiciones sociales, el ambiente urbano y la participación en el PC en adultos que vivían en Cali, Colombia. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 2011 y 2012 en 719 adultos de 18 a 44 años. Se obtuvieron medidas del ambiente urbano utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Un poco más del 7% de las personas participaron en el PC en los últimos 4 fines de semana. Ser hombre y tener un nivel de escolaridad de secundaria se asoció positivamente con la participación en el PC. Así mismo, se encontró una asociación positiva con residir en barrios con existencia de corredores con este programa. Por el contrario, la existencia de muertes por accidentes de tránsito fue negativamente asociada. Este estudio brinda nuevos conocimientos acerca de un programa recreativo que tiene beneficios potenciales para la salud, en una región marcada por desigualdades urbanas relacionadas con actividad física.

Resumo O programa Ciclovia (PC) surgiu como uma iniciativa eficaz para promover a atividade física no contexto urbano da América Latina. Este estudo avaliou a associação entre as condições sociais, o ambiente urbano e participação no PC em adultos que vivem em Cali, Colômbia. Um estudo transversal foi realizado em 2011 e 2012, em 719 adultos com idades entre 18 e 44 anos. Medidas do ambiente urbano utilizando SIG foram obtidos. Pouco mais de 7% das pessoas participaram do PC nos últimos quatro finais de semana. Ser do sexo masculino e ter um nível de ensino médio foi positivamente associado com a participação no PC. Da mesma forma, uma associação positiva com residência em bairros com corredores existência desse programa foi encontrada. Pelo contrário , a existência de mortes no trânsito foi negativamente associado . Este estudo fornece novos conhecimentos sobre um programa de lazer que tem benefícios de saúde potenciais em uma região marcada por desigualdades urbanas em atividade física.

Quality of life, physical activity, and built environment characteristics among colombian adults.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the association between health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) with physical activity (PA) and built environment (BE) characteristics are limited. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,334 adults from Bogotá, to assess the associations between HR-QOL with PA and BE characteristics. HR-QOL was measured using the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instruments. PA was measured using the International PA Questionnaire. BE characteristics included the dimensions of density, diversity, design, and access to mass-transit. Analysis included multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Adults who reported meeting PA recommendations and participating in the Ciclovía were more likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL and were more likely to perceive their health status as good/excellent. Adults who reported biking for transportation were more likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL. Regarding BE characteristics, land-use heterogeneity was associated with HR-QOL, perceived good health status and being positive about the future. Park density was associated with HR-QOL, perceived health status good/excellent and being positive about the future. Mass-transit stations availability was negatively associated with HR-QOL. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that HR-QOL is associated with PA and BE characteristics among adults in an urban setting of the developing world.

Built environment attributes and walking patterns among the elderly population in Bogotá.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that the built environment has an influence on physical activity; however, little is known about this relationship in developing countries. PURPOSE: This study examined the associations between attributes of the built environment and walking patterns among the elderly. METHODS: A multilevel cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007. Fifty neighborhoods were selected and 1966 participants aged > or =60 years were surveyed. Objective built environment measures were obtained in a buffer of 500 m using GIS. Environmental perceptions were assessed via questionnaire. RESULTS: People who lived in areas with middle park area (4.53%-7.98% of land) were more likely to walk for at least 60 minutes during a usual week (prevalence OR [POR]=1.42, 95% CI=1.02, 1.98). Those who lived in areas with the highest connectivity index (1.81-1.99) were less likely to report walking for at least 60 minutes (POR=0.64, 95% CI=0.44, 0.93). Participants who reported feeling safe or very safe from traffic were more likely to report walking for at least 60 minutes (POR=1.50, 95% CI=1.11, 2.03). The presence of Ciclovía (recreational program) was marginally associated with having walked at least 150 minutes in a usual week (POR=1.29, 95% CI=0.97, 1.73). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that certain built and perceived environment characteristics were associated with walking among older adults living in Bogotá. Further studies should be conducted to better understand the potential influence of the built environment on physical activity among the elderly population in the context of Latin American cities.

Characteristics of the built environment associated with leisure-time physical activity among adults in Bogotá, Colombia: a multilevel study.

BACKGROUND: Even though there is increasing evidence that the built environment (BE) has an influence on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), little is known about this relationship in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between objective built environment characteristics and LTPA. METHODS: A cross-sectional multilevel study was conducted in 27 neighborhoods in which 1315 adults aged 18-65 years were surveyed. An adapted version of the IPAQ (long version) was used to assess LTPA. Objective BE characteristics were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Associations were assessed using multilevel polytomous logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with inactive people, those who resided in neighborhoods with the highest tertile dedicated to parks (7.4% to 25.2%) were more likely to be regularly active (POR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-3.72; P = 0.021). Those who resided in neighborhoods with presence of TransMilenio stations (mass public transportation system) were more likely to be irregularly active (POR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.07-1.50, P = 0.009) as compared with inactive people. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that park density and availability of TransMilenio stations at neighborhood level are positively associated with LTPA. Public health efforts to address physical inactivity should consider the potential influences of urban planning and mass public transportation systems on health.