POVERTY AREA RESIDENCE AND CHANGES IN PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY LEVEL - EVIDENCE FROM THE ALAMEDA COUNTY STUDY

Objectives. Evidence from the Alameda County Study indicated that resi dential area has an independent effect on mortality risk. The current research examined the effect of poverty area residence on change in ph ysical activity (n = 1737). Methods. Data were from a longitudinal pop ulation-based cohort. Multiple linear regression analyses were used. R esults. Age- and sex-adjusted change scores between 1965 and 1974 for physical activity were 0.67 units lower for people living in poverty a reas (P =.0001). Independent of individual income, education, smoking status, body mass index, and alcohol consumption, poverty area residen ce remained associated with physical activity change. Conclusion. Thes e results further support the hypothesis that place affects health beh aviors.