Multiple dimensions of residential environments, neighborhood experiences, and jogging behavior in the RECORD Study

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between a broad range of environmental characteristics and jogging behavior while taking into account different complementary outcomes to describe the behavior. Methods. Using the RECORD Cohort Study (7290 participants, 2007-2008, Paris region, France), multilevel models were used to investigate individual/neighborhood variables associated with the probability of jogging; the time spent jogging; and the location of the practice. Results. The presence and quality of green and open spaces was associated both with a greater probability of jogging [risk ratio (RR) for the first vs. the fourth quartile = 1.22, 95% credible interval (Crl): 1.03-1.44] and with the practice of jogging within rather than outside the neighborhood (RR = 1.29; 95% Crl: 1.10-1.53). Moreover, a high social cohesion and the presence of enjoyable places were associated with a higher probability of jogging (RR = 1.15; 95% Crl: 1.00-1.31; RR = 1.22; 95% Crl: 1.03-1.44) while the presence of parks or a lake increased the probability of jogging inside rather than outside the neighborhood (RR = 1.29; 95% Crl: 1.10-1.53; RR = 1.14; 95% Crl: 1.03-1.26). Conclusions. Paying attention to physical and social environments, related neighborhood experiences, and attitudes toward health may be an effective approach to promote outdoor physical activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.