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Results from: “Test–retest Reliability and Construct Validity of an Online and Paper Administered Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES)”
Frehlich L, Blackstaffe A, McCormack GR
Self-reported measures of the neighbourhood built environment
The neighbourhood built environment can be an important factor influencing people’s physical activity levels (1). Both objective and self-reported mechanisms have been used to measure the built environment. Google street view and neighbourhood audits are examples of objective measurements of neighbourhood environments. Self-reported measures involve asking residents about their perceptions of their neighbourhood (2). Self-reported measures of neighbourhood environment have even been associated with increased physical activity independent of objective measures (3). In other words, if you think that your neighbourhood is more walkable you may do more walking even if objectively the neighbourhood is not supportive for walking (3). Therefore, the development of tools to measure self-reported neighbourhood environments is of great interest to researchers. One common self-reported measure is the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES) (4).
The PANES asks questions about the neighbourhood environment such as the types of housing available, and access to sidewalks, transit stops and destinations (e.g., shop, stores, and recreation facilities). The PANES also asks questions related to crime rates and its affect on walking habits (4). This survey has been used internationally to compare the association between the neighbourhood built environment and physical activity in 11 different countries (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United States) (5).
Assessing the PANES in Canada
The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the PANES in a Canadian population. Two different sets of participants completed the PANES either online, or hard copy with paper and pencil. The PANES was then repeated amongst the same group of participants seven days later. The results from the two completions were assessed for similarity and the participant’s PANES score for their neighbourhood was compared to their neighbourhood’s Walk Score ®, an objective measure of neighbourhood walkability. The results showed that the PANES provides reliable estimates of neighbourhood built environment supportiveness for transportation physical activity and was associated with Walk Score ® among Canadian adults. The PANES is therefore a viable option for Canadian researchers investigating relationships between the built environment and physical activity.
Suggested Citation: Frehlich L, Blackstaffe A, McCormack GR. Test–retest reliability and construct validity of an online and paper administered Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES). Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. 2020 Jan 2;24(1):1-0.
References
Orstad SL, McDonough MH, Stapleton S, Altincekic C, Troped PJ. A systematic review of agreement between perceived and objective neighborhood environment measures and associations with physical activity outcomes. Environment and Behavior. 2017 Oct;49(8):904-32.
Lee SM, Conway TL, Frank LD, Saelens BE, Cain KL, Sallis JF. The relation of perceived and objective environment attributes to neighborhood satisfaction. Environment and behavior. 2017 Feb;49(2):136-60.
Koohsari MJ, Badland H, Sugiyama T, Mavoa S, Christian H, Giles-Corti B. Mismatch between perceived and objectively measured land use mix and street connectivity: associations with neighborhood walking. Journal of Urban Health. 2015 Apr;92:242-52.
Sallis JF, Kerr J, Carlson JA, Norman GJ, Saelens BE, Durant N, Ainsworth BE. Evaluating a brief self-report measure of neighborhood environments for physical activity research and surveillance: Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES). Journal of physical activity and health. 2010 Jul 1;7(4):533-40.
Sallis JF, Bowles HR, Bauman A, Ainsworth BE, Bull FC, Craig CL, Sjöström M, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Lefevre J, Matsudo V, Matsudo S. Neighborhood environments and physical activity among adults in 11 countries. American journal of preventive medicine. 2009 Jun 1;36(6):484-90.
Kottek M, Grieser J, Beck C, Rudolf B, Rubel F. World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorologische Zeitschrift. 2006;15:259–263.
Posted January 4, 2020
Written by Levi Frehlich
Infographic by Levi Frehlich