Effects of Perceptions of The Immediate Surroundings on Obesity and Physical Activity Levels in University Students

Q: What was the main aim of the study?

To examine how perceptions of the immediate/close environment affect obesity and physical activity levels in university students.

Q: How were physical activity levels measured?

Objective activity was captured using pedometers and heart-rate monitors for one day, and subjective activity was assessed with the IPAQ-SF.

Q: Which environmental perception factors showed significant relationships with activity?

Step counts showed a significant relationship with nearby shops, facilities, and other places in the vicinity.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by MrHarris58

The study examined how perceptions of the close environment relate to obesity and physical activity among university students. A total of 113 participants aged 18–25 were assessed, with up to 20% wearing pedometers and heart-rate monitors for one day to capture objective activity. Height, body weight, bioimpedance, IPAQ-SF, pedometer and heart-rate data, and an Immediate Walkability Perception Questionnaire were collected. Significant links were found between step counts and nearby shops/facilities, while obesity indicators related to walkability sub-dimensions showed no statistical significance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Obesity as a global problem

Role of the built environment and walkability

Sedentary lifestyle and health/economic impacts

Effects of Perceptions of The Immediate Surroundings on Obesity and Physical Activity Levels in University Students Ali COŞKUN1 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Gülşah ŞAHIN2 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effects of perception of the close environment on obesity and physical activity levels in university students. Included in this study were 113 students between 18–25 years of age, taking into account that there may be erroneous and missing data according to the 95% confidence level in the pre-sample size calculation table according to the confidence level and acceptable error for the research, 10% more than the recommended sample size was calculated and 113 students participated. Up to 20% of the participants were fitted with a pedometer and heart rate monitor for 1 day to determine their objective physical activity levels. Height measurement, body weight measurement, bioimpedance analysis, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), pedometer, heart rate, and Immediate Walkability Perception Questionnaire (IWPQ) were applied to the participants. As a result, a significant relationship was found between the number of steps and the shops, facilities, and other nearby places in the vicinity (P < 0.05; r = – 0.353) . At the same time, a significant relationship was observed between the stores, facilities, and other nearby places in the vicinity and the level of physical activity (P < 0.13; r = –234) . Relationships were found between the body mass index (BMI), Body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference data, which are considered as obesity indicators, and the sub-dimensions of the perception of walkability in the immediate environment, but none of these were statistically significant. Keywords: Walkability, Physical Activity, Obesity, Neighborhood DOI: 10.29329/epasr.2022.478.5 Submitted: 14 April 2022 Accepted: 16 November 2022 Published: 05 December 2022 1Asst. Prof. , Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Bayramiç Vocational School, Çanakkale/Turkey, ORCID: 0000-0002- 4734-8982. Correspondence: [alicoskun17@gmail.com](alicoskun17@gmail.com) 2Assoc. Prof., Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Sports Science Faculty Çanakkale/Turkey, ORCID: 0000-0003-0900- 9290, [Email: nazgulsah@hotmail.com](Email: nazgulsah@hotmail.com) Introduction Turkey is among the most obese countries in Europe (World Health Organization, WHO) . The effects of sedentary life are among the biggest factors of this obesity problem in the country. Many situations that make the people immobile can be listed, and the most important of these is the built environment. Studies have shown that physical activity is affected by the built environment. In the study, it was aimed to examine the effects of the walkability perception in the immediate environment on obesity and physical activity. The WHO reported that obesity has become a global problem. Obesity should not be seen only as an aesthetic problem. According to the degree of obesity, many first- and second-degree health problems arise. The importance of fighting this disease, which is thought to play an important role in nutritional disorders, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, orthopedic problems, mental disorders, and many other problems with psychological content, is increasing. The simplest way to avoid this disease is proper nutrition and physical activity. There are many things that limit physical activity. However, incorporating physical activity into daily life will direct us to act directly. By providing this correlation, it is necessary to increase mobility in our daily work life or increase walkability in the immediate environment. It is thought that the effects of street connections, walking and bicycle paths, traffic danger, and crime safety on our perception of walking in the immediate environment are high. In its 2002 report, the WHO stated that health problems resulting from a

FAQs

What was the main aim of the study?

To examine how perceptions of the immediate/close environment affect obesity and physical activity levels in university students.

How were physical activity levels measured?

Objective activity was captured using pedometers and heart-rate monitors for one day, and subjective activity was assessed with the IPAQ-SF.

Which environmental perception factors showed significant relationships with activity?

Step counts showed a significant relationship with nearby shops, facilities, and other places in the vicinity.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by MrHarris58