Environmental and Psychosocial Correlates of Accelerometer-Assessed and Self-Reported Physical Activity in Belgian Adults

Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity (PA) on overall health, the majority of the adult population does not
engage in sufficient PA. To develop effective interventions to increase PA, it is necessary to understand the most important
PA correlates and to investigate whether correlates are similar in different population subgroups.

This study examined associations between physical environmental perceptions and self-reported and objectively assessed PA
in Belgian adults. Moreover, associations between psychosocial factors and PA, and the moderating effects of sociodemographic
factors were investigated.

A sample of 1,200 Belgian adults (20–65 years; 47.9% males) completed a survey measuring sociodemographic variables and psychosocial
correlates, the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale and the long-version International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
They wore an accelerometer for 7 days.

Perceiving neighborhoods to be high walkable (high residential density, high land use mix access, and high land use mix diversity)
and recreation facilities to be convenient, and the availability of home PA equipment were the most consistent physical environmental
correlates of PA. The strongest psychosocial correlates were social support from friends and family and self-efficacy. The
psychosocial associations were most consistent for self-reported leisure-time PA and less clear for self-reported active transportation
and accelerometer-assessed PA. Few significant sociodemographic moderators were found.

Both physical environmental and psychosocial factors were associated with PA in adults, with psychosocial factors being important
especially for leisure-time PA. Correlates of PA were similar regardless of gender, age, or socio-economic status, so interventions
to change these factors could have population-wide effects.