Epidemiological data suggest that low physical activity is one of the main factors influencing the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. Urban infrastructure and accessibility of the natural environment are the most important factors influencing the physical activity of the citizens. The research has been conducted as the pilot study of the Horizon 2020 CitieS-Health (Citizen Science for Urban Environment and Health). This participatory action research aimed at assessing the relationship between the neighborhood’s environmental quality, participants’ physical activity, and health among citizens of Kaunas city, Lithuania. The study results were reported to the study participants and stakeholders at the International Conference “Human and Nature Safety 2021”.
Participants’ answers to the question: How do you assess your health? from the Kaunas study
Using an environmental epidemiological approach, the study revealed that 16.5% of the participants achieved recommended moderate-intensity physical activity (150 min/week). About 17.8% of study participants acknowledged “poor” health. The findings showed that the participants who rated their health as “poor”, significantly less time spent visiting the city’s green spaces or parks and rarely reached recommended physical activity compared to those in the group of the participants with better ratings of their health. The findings suggest that the accessibility of the natural environment and the reaching recommended level of physical activity are the measures to improve citizens’ health.
Reference: Sandra Andrušaitytė, Regina Gražulevičienė, Audrius Dėdelė, Aurimas Rapalavičius Ryšys tarp kauniečių fizinio aktyvumo ir sveikatos. HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY, 2021, 66-69, https://doi.org/10.7220/2538–9122.2021