Neighborhood Quality of Life Study (NQLS)

Funded by National Institutes of Health/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Sep 1, 2001-August 31, 2005

Main questionWhat is the association between environmental variables and physical activity?

The primary aim of the study is to document the association of neighborhood environmentcharacteristics with objectively measured physical activity. It is hypothesized that physical environment variables are independently associated with adults’ total and moderate intensity

physical activity above and beyond variance explained by psychosocial and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity.

“Walkability” means high density, high street connectivity, and greater mixedland use. It is proposed that individuals who live in more walkable communities will engage in more totaland moderate intensity physical activity than those living in less walkable communities.

Select secondary aimsareto compare the relative contribution of perceived vs objectiveenvironment to the explanation of PA, and to examine the relations betweenneighborhood environment and health-related non-physical activity outcomes.

Study design

  • Matched-community cross-sectional observational design
  • 16 neighborhoods in King County, WA and 16 neighborhoods in Maryland
  • Neighborhoods will be selected to be high and low on “walkability”,

but matched on sociodemographic variables

  • N=2400 adults aged 20-65, randomly selected from neighborhoods

Primary Investigators

James F. Sallis, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator)

San DiegoStateUniversity, 3900 5th Avenue, Ste 310, San Diego, CA92103.

Lawrence D. Frank, Ph.D. (Co-Investigator)

Lawrence Frank and Company, Inc.

Brian E. Saelens, Ph.D. (Co-Investigator)

University of Cincinnati, CHMC, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH45229.

Contact: Kelli Cain, MA. The Neighborhood Quality of Life Study, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92130. Phone: 619-260-5541. Email: .

Dependent variables

  • Total and moderate intensity PA

(CSA accelerometry for 7 days, 2x)

  • Walking for transport

(walking section of the IPAQ)

  • Sedentary behaviors

(self report 7-day checklist)

  • BMI (self-report height and weight)
  • Quality of Life (Life satisfaction scale,

CES-D, social interaction, social capital)

Independent variables

  • Objectively measured environment

(residential density, street connectivity, land use mixture, crime, weather: Analyzed by GIS)

  • Sociodemographics
  • Psychosocial correlates of PA

(self-efficacy, benefits & barriers, enjoyment,

social support, stages change for PA)

  • Perceptions of environment (perceived
  • connectivity, mixed use, aesthetics, safety)

Contact: Kelli Cain, MA. The Neighborhood Quality of Life Study, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92130. Phone: 619-260-5541. Email: .