Association between the number of physical activity outlets, physical activity intensity opportunities, and obesity prevalence in Aotearoa/New Zealand
File version
Accepted Manuscript (AM)
Author(s)
Mhaskar, Kshemina
Williams, Margaret
Dasgupta, Poulami
Al-Foraih, Meisa
Knight-Agarwal, Catherine
Rush, Elaine
Simmons, David
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
We examined the association between availability (count), proxy physical activity intensity opportunities from physical activity outlets and obesity prevalence in New Zealand. This cross-sectional study collected data from two urban and 51 rural geographical locations in Waikato and Lakes District (May 2004-March 2006). Physical activity outlets were recorded by referring to online business directory and Waikato and Lakes District Councils database and confirming it with expert Māori community health workers. METs (Metabolic equivalent of task) was used as a proxy indicator to signify the physical activity intensity opportunity offered by physical activity outlets, which was averaged to obtain a unified score for each geographic location. Information regarding median income and type of location was derived from 2006 New Zealand census of Population and Dwelling. Bivariate analysis reported a significant difference in obesity prevalence using Māori BMI cut-offs between clusters with proxy METs < 5.12 (n = 15) and proxy METs ≥5.12 (n = 10), 56.20 ± 0.22 vs 43.30 ± 0.07% obesity prevalence, t(17.77) = 1.45, p = 0.03. This inverse relationship between low physical activity intensity opportunity (proxy METs) and percent obesity prevalence remained significant after controlling for income and type of locality (β = -0.421, p = 0.03). Furthermore, results highlighted that low income (below the median, ≤ NZ $24,400), moderated the inverse relationship between mean METs proxy indicator and obesity prevalence using Māori BMI cut-offs, b = -0.4661, 95% CI (-0.6054, -0.3268, p < 0.001). These findings support the development of physical activity related public health programs in low-income Māori communities in New Zealand to manage obesity prevalence.
Journal Title
International Public Health Journal
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
14
Issue
2
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© 2022 Nova Science Publishers. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. It is posted here with permission of the copyright owner(s) for your personal use only. No further distribution permitted. For information about this journal please refer to the journal’s website or contact the author(s).
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Nutrition and dietetics
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Jani, R; Mhaskar, K; Williams, M; Dasgupta, P; Al-Foraih, M; Knight-Agarwal, C; Simmons, D, Association between the number of physical activity outlets, physical activity intensity opportunities, and obesity prevalence in Aotearoa/New Zealand, International Public Health Journal, 2022, 14 (2), pp. 141-150