Abstract

The environment of a neighborhood (the availability of sports facilities, services, and transportation) can influence physical activity (PA), however the influence of different environments on PA have not been clearly described in the Czech Republic yet. The aim of the study is to identify the relationships between obesity and PA in Olomouc and the surrounding countryside depending on differences in the neighborhood environment. A further aim of the study is to form recommendations concerning physical activity enhancement and lifestyle. PA was quantified on the basis of the NQLS (Neighborhood Quality of Life Study) questionnaire, which includes the internationally standardized IPAQ long questionnaire in its second part. The study involved 241 valid questionnaires from the respondents from Olomouc (capital of Olomouc region, 100,000 inhabitants) and Prakšice (village close to Olomouc, less than 1,000 inhabitants) aged 15-60 (102 men and 139 women). The data adjustment was done in compliance with the international guidelines of the "IPAQ Research Committee". Based on individual values, 6 percent of the inhabitants of Olomouc and 2 percent of inhabitants of Prakšice show very low physical activity, 23 percent of the inhabitants of Olomouc and 11 percent of inhabitants of Prakšice meet minimal PA requirements, and 66 percent of the inhabitants of Olomouc and 87 percent of inhabitants of Prakšice show higher levels of physical activity. Both the inhabitants of the town and the village confirm the good availability of services such as grocery stores, elementary schools and post offices. In both the town and the village, the inhabitants also claim that there is good availability of pedestrian and cycling paths. The inhabitants of the village show higher physical activity than the inhabitants of the town. The young and middle aged inhabitants of the village show significantly higher PA than the inhabitants of the town. The majority of the inhabitants of both Olomouc and Prakšice are physically active enough. In overweight or obese women, the authors recommend including vigorous PA which does not overstress the muscular skeletal system or to increase the overall PA to the required level by increasing the volume of walking and moderate PA. The authors also advocate for a change of the entire lifestyle. Verf.-Referat (geändert)