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How community environment shapes physical activity: Perceptions revealed through the PhotoVoice method

Author

Listed:
  • Belon, Ana Paula
  • Nieuwendyk, Laura M.
  • Vallianatos, Helen
  • Nykiforuk, Candace I.J.

Abstract

A growing body of evidence shows that community environment plays an important role in individuals' physical activity engagement. However, while attributes of the physical environment are widely investigated, sociocultural, political, and economic aspects of the environment are often neglected. This article helps to fill these knowledge gaps by providing a more comprehensive understanding of multiple dimensions of the community environment relative to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore how people's experiences and perceptions of their community environments affect their abilities to engage in physical activity. A PhotoVoice method was used to identify barriers to and opportunities for physical activity among residents in four communities in the province of Alberta, Canada, in 2009. After taking pictures, the thirty-five participants shared their perceptions of those opportunities and barriers in their community environments during individual interviews. Using the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework, themes emerging from these photo-elicited interviews were organized in four environment types: physical, sociocultural, economic, and political. The data show that themes linked to the physical (56.6%) and sociocultural (31.4%) environments were discussed more frequently than the themes of the economic (5.9%) and political (6.1%) environments. Participants identified nuanced barriers and opportunities for physical activity, which are illustrated by their quotes and photographs. The findings suggest that a myriad of factors from physical, sociocultural, economic, and political environments influence people's abilities to be physically active in their communities. Therefore, adoption of a broad, ecological perspective is needed to address the barriers and build upon the opportunities described by participants to make communities more healthy and active.

Suggested Citation

  • Belon, Ana Paula & Nieuwendyk, Laura M. & Vallianatos, Helen & Nykiforuk, Candace I.J., 2014. "How community environment shapes physical activity: Perceptions revealed through the PhotoVoice method," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 10-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:116:y:2014:i:c:p:10-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.06.027
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    3. Grazia Salvo & Bonnie M. Lashewicz & Patricia K. Doyle-Baker & Gavin R. McCormack, 2018. "Neighbourhood Built Environment Influences on Physical Activity among Adults: A Systematized Review of Qualitative Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, May.
    4. Julia Díez & Pedro Gullón & María Sandín Vázquez & Belén Álvarez & María Del Prado Martín & María Urtasun & Maite Gamarra & Joel Gittelsohn & Manuel Franco, 2018. "A Community-Driven Approach to Generate Urban Policy Recommendations for Obesity Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Sawyer, Alexia & Ucci, Marcella & Jones, Russell & Smith, Lee & Fisher, Abi, 2018. "Supportive environments for physical activity in deprived communities in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study using photo elicitation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 49-58.
    6. Brent Hammer & Helen Vallianatos & Candace Nykiforuk & Laura Nieuwendyk, 2015. "Perceptions of healthy eating in four Alberta communities: a photovoice project," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(4), pages 649-662, December.
    7. Rachel Prowse & Kate Storey & Dana Lee Olstad & Valerie Carson & Kim D. Raine, 2022. "Choice, Motives, and Mixed Messages: A Qualitative Photo-Based Inquiry of Parents’ Perceptions of Food and Beverage Marketing to Children in Sport and Recreation Facilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, February.
    8. Belon, Ana Paula & Nieuwendyk, Laura M. & Vallianatos, Helen & Nykiforuk, Candace I.J., 2016. "Perceived community environmental influences on eating behaviors: A Photovoice analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 18-29.
    9. Anna-Karin Lindqvist & Marie Löf & Anna Ek & Stina Rutberg, 2019. "Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-14, January.
    10. Lisa Wilderink & Ingrid Bakker & Albertine J. Schuit & Jacob C. Seidell & Carry M. Renders, 2021. "Involving Children in Creating a Healthy Environment in Low Socioeconomic Position (SEP) Neighborhoods in The Netherlands: A Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    11. Sara Ronzi & Lois Orton & Stefanie Buckner & Nigel Bruce & Daniel Pope, 2020. "How is Respect and Social Inclusion Conceptualised by Older Adults in an Aspiring Age-Friendly City? A Photovoice Study in the North-West of England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-29, December.
    12. Li, Shengxiao & Zhao, Pengjun & Zhang, He & Quan, Jing, 2019. "Walking behavior in the old downtown Beijing: The impact of perceptions and attitudes and social variations," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1-11.
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