Neighborhood Environmental Attributes And Sedentary Behavior In Hispanics/latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/study Of Latinos

Sedentary behavior (SED) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor, potentially independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, little is known about environmental determinants of SED in Hispanic/Latino adults, a population disproportionately affected by metabolic conditions. PURPOSE: To investigate cross-sectional associations of micro- and macro-scale neighborhood environmental attributes with SED (volume and bouts) among Hispanic/Latino adults.METHODS: SED volume (standardized for a 16-hour day), mean SED bout length, and MVPA were objectively measured using accelerometry. Micro-scale environmental attributes (streetscape elements, aesthetics, crossing characteristics, street segments) were measured with a validated observation tool on a route starting at the participant's address. Macro-scale environmental attributes (walkability, greenness, transit, recreation) were objectively measured with GIS for 800-meter home neighborhood buffers. Complex samples linear regression models adjusted for individual characteristics, neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, and MVPA tested the associations of each neighborhood attribute with SED. RESULTS: Individuals (n = 1776, 53% female; 45.7 ± 0.7 years) spent a weighted mean of 11.2 (SE = 0.1) hrs/day in SED time, with a weighted mean SED bout length of 9.1 (SE = 0.2) mins. Walkability was significantly and inversely associated with SED bout length (β: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.27, 0.00), but not SED volume (-1.76, 95% CI: -5.52, 2.00). No other macro- or micro-scale attributes were significantly associated with SED volume or bout length (see table). CONCLUSION: Among Hispanic/Latino adults, there was little support for cross-sectional associations between neighborhood attributes and SED (volume or bouts). Although neighborhood environment attributes have been consistently shown to relate to MVPA, they may be less important for SED.