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Article

Differences in Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Levels Based on Satisfaction with Physical Environment of Local Communities: From School to Lifelong Physical Education

1
Department of Physical Education, Seowon University, Cheongju 28674, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Elementary Education, Korea National University of Education, Cheongju 28173, Republic of Korea
3
Department of Sports Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Healthcare 2024, 12(22), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222244
Submission received: 31 August 2024 / Revised: 16 October 2024 / Accepted: 5 November 2024 / Published: 11 November 2024

Abstract

:
Background: In Korea, substantial disparities exist in physical environments across regions, exacerbating the polarization between metropolitan and provincial areas and urban and rural regions. Objectives: This study examines the differences in the physical activity and self-rated health of local communities in relation to satisfaction with the physical environment. By identifying and addressing these underlying causes of health disparities, the study provides foundational data to inform policy efforts. Methods: The study utilized data from the 2023 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. It included 231,752 individuals aged 19 and older (105,754 men and 125,998 women) selected through a two-stage probability proportional systematic sampling method. One-on-one online interviews were conducted from 16 May to 31 July 2023. The physical environment was assessed based on public satisfaction with safety, natural and living environments, public transportation, and medical services. Study variables included subjective health status and physical activity, with subvariables for physical activity encompassing the duration of vigorous and moderate physical activity, walking, and flexibility exercises. For data analysis, MANOVA and ANOVA were conducted, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Considerable variations in physical activity were observed based on satisfaction with the local community environment. Regarding self-rated health, significant differences were found in safety levels, living environment, and medical services. Satisfaction with the physical environment positively influenced physical activity and self-rated health. Conclusion: Therefore, it is imperative to reduce disparities in the physical environment between regions and enhance residents’ satisfaction.

1. Introduction

In South Korea, disparities in physical environments exist across regions—between metropolitan areas and provinces and urban and rural regions—triggering conflicts among community members. This gap has widened recently, emerging as a significant social issue alongside generational and class polarization. Social costs are also increasing as a result of the deepening polarization and the resulting conflicts. The phenomenon is not limited to South Korea; similar patterns have been observed in many countries worldwide [1,2,3].
The physical environment of a community is shaped by factors such as community relations, safety, natural surroundings, living conditions, public transportation, and medical services. Disparities in the physical environment have wide-ranging impacts on the lives of community members. Collado [4] argued that easy access to medical services in the Philippines significantly impacts health and should be addressed through government policy. A case study of the Zaltbommel region by Bijloo [5] highlighted that community physical environments, such as community centers, contribute to individual rights and wellbeing in the Netherlands.
Health-related disparities, in particular, represent a critical issue requiring urgent attention. The concentration of fitness centers and medical services in specific areas has been identified as a contributing factor to social conflict. Therefore, this study explores the differences in physical activity and self-rated health (SRH)—key determinants of community health—to assess the significance of the physical environment in local communities.
Physical activity is an important aspect that has long been discussed in the fields of health science, public health, physical education, and pedagogy. Various studies have been conducted on the positive effects of physical activity and directions for promoting it. Global organizations, such as the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, have proposed eight investment areas for promoting physical activity, including whole-of-school programs, active transport, active urban design, healthcare, public education, sport and recreation, workplaces, and community-wide programs [6]. Additionally, studies have focused on the physical activity of marginalized or low-income community members [7,8]. Accordingly, large-scale empirical research should be conducted to identify specific physical environments that promote physical activity.
SRH is a subjective indicator where individuals assess their health status. It has been widely used in various studies owing to its simplicity, reliability, and validity. SRH plays a crucial role in predicting long-term health outcomes by providing a comprehensive evaluation of physical and mental health [9,10]. Previous studies have determined that physical environments in communities, such as green spaces and accessibility to public facilities, have a positive impact on individuals’ SRH [11,12]. However, many of these studies have limitations in that they focused solely on specific educational levels or age groups or involved a limited number of cases, making it difficult to generalize the results [13,14]. To overcome these limitations and maximize the advantages of SRH, it is imperative to conduct large-scale studies that include diverse population groups.
This study explored the differences in physical activity and self-rated health levels according to satisfaction with the physical environment of the local community. The study also aims to use large-scale regional and national data to monitor policy changes and foster environments that support increased physical activity [15,16]. In summary, the study seeks to explore the differences in physical activity and SRH according to satisfaction with the physical environment in local communities, provide fundamental data for policy efforts to identify and address regional health disparities, and clarify the conditions necessary for the expansion of physical education from school-based programs to lifelong physical education. For this purpose, the following research questions were formulated.
  • What are the differences in physical activity based on satisfaction with the physical environment of the local community?
  • What are the differences in self-rated health levels based on satisfaction with the physical environment of the local community?

2. Materials and Methods

This research utilized data from the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS), conducted by the Korean government. Using data from the 2019 KCHS, Chang [15] analyzed differences in SRH and physical activity according to educational levels, emphasizing the importance of school physical education. Expanding the focus from school physical education to lifelong physical education, this study explores the conditions necessary for its establishment. Specifically, it examines physical activity and SRH by considering satisfaction with the physical environment of the community, a key factor influencing lifelong physical education.

2.1. Participants

The 2023 KCHS used in this study was conducted in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, local governments, health centers, and designated universities, with the aim of producing regional health statistics, standardizing survey indicators, and establishing a standardized survey system [17]. The KCHS, conducted annually since 2008, recently released raw data for the 2023 survey.
The target population included adults aged 19 and older based on the Korean resident registration system. The first stage of sample selection was performed using probability proportional to size systematic sampling, considering the number of households by housing type for each sample point. The second stage involved systematic sampling based on the number of households at sample points. Overall, 231,752 surveys were conducted based on the selected sample, with the characteristics of the study subjects detailed in Table 1.

2.2. Items and Measurements

The survey was conducted from 16 May to 31 July 2023, using computer-assisted personal interviewing, with trained interviewers visiting selected households and conducting one-on-one interviews. To verify the data and ensure quality control, 13% of the completed surveys were resampled for telephone verification. Discrepancies, if any occurred, were rectified, and the results were reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
The data used in this study comprised household and individual surveys, including 145 questions. The household survey covered five areas, including household type and income. The individual survey addressed 16 areas, including drinking, smoking, physical activity, SRH, and the social physical environment. The physical environment of local communities was considered part of the social physical environment, along with social networks and social activities.
Since the raw data from the KCHS did not include private identifiers, such as home address, telephone number, or social security number, ethical approval was not required. According to Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Bioethics and Safety Act of South Korea, the KCHS is not considered to be human subjects research and is, therefore, exempt from Institutional Review Board review.
The physical environment was assessed based on public satisfaction with safety, the natural and living environments, public transportation, and medical services. The study variables included subjective health status and physical activity, with subvariables for physical activity encompassing the duration of vigorous and moderate physical activity, walking, and flexibility exercises. The study variables are explained in Appendix A.

2.3. Data Processing

The collected data were transmitted in real time to a central server by investigators using tablet PCs, with local officials monitoring the progress. The finalized statistics are published annually on the Korea Community Health Survey website (https://chs.kdca.go.kr/ (accessed on 4 April 2024)).
To explore the differences in physical activity and SRH according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities, this study used the statistical program SPSS Windows Version 18.0. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to calculate the means and standard deviations. A MANOVA was conducted to examine the main effects and interaction effects of satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities on the four physical activity factors. Additionally, an ANOVA was performed to assess the main effects of satisfaction with the physical environment and the interaction effects between factors on SRH. The data processing flow diagram is shown in Figure 1.
First, 7337 cases were excluded from the survey on satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities where respondents answered “refuse to respond” or “don’t know”. To explore differences in physical activity based on satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities, 25 cases where respondents answered “refuse to respond” or “don’t know” were excluded. Additionally, two cases were excluded from the data collected to explore differences in self-rated health based on satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities. Statistical significance levels were set at p < 0.05.

3. Results

3.1. Main Effects of Physical Activity According to Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

To verify the main and interaction effects of satisfaction with factors related to the physical environment of local communities on physical activity factors, such as the number of days of vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, walking, and flexibility exercises, MANOVA was conducted.
The results showed significant differences in the number of days of moderate physical activity and walking depending on satisfaction with safety levels; vigorous physical activity and walking depending on satisfaction with the natural environment; moderate physical activity, walking, and flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with medical services; and all physical activity factors depending on satisfaction with the living environment and public transportation (p < 0.05).
Regarding the interaction effects between factors, significant differences were observed in the number of days of vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, and flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with both safety levels and natural environment; flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with both safety levels and public transportation; moderate physical activity and flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with both safety levels and medical services; vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, and flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with both the natural living environment; moderate physical activity depending on satisfaction with both the natural environment and medical services; and walking depending on satisfaction with both the living environment and public transportation (p < 0.05).
Additionally, significant differences were found in the number of days of moderate physical activity depending on satisfaction with both the natural and living environment, medical services, and public transportation; flexibility exercises depending on satisfaction with both the natural environment and public transportation and medical services and public transportation; and vigorous physical activity depending on satisfaction with safety levels, the natural and living environment, and medical services. Furthermore, significant differences were also found in the number of days of walking depending on satisfaction with the natural and living environment, public transportation, and medical services (p < 0.05) (See Table 2).

3.2. Interaction Effects of Physical Activity According to Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test was conducted for variables where the main effect of satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities on physical activity was found to be significant. The results showed that the number of days of vigorous physical activity was higher in groups dissatisfied with the natural and living environment and public transportation, compared to those who were satisfied. The number of days of moderate physical activity was higher in groups satisfied with safety levels compared to those who were dissatisfied. However, for living environment, public transportation, and medical services, the dissatisfied group had higher activity levels than the satisfied group. The number of days of walking was higher in groups satisfied with public transportation and medical services, compared to those who were dissatisfied. Meanwhile, for safety levels and natural and living environment, the dissatisfied group reported walking for a higher number of days than the satisfied group. Lastly, the number of days of flexibility exercises was higher in groups satisfied with public transportation and medical services, but in the living environment, the dissatisfied group showed higher activity levels than the satisfied group (see Table 3).

3.3. Main Effects of Self-Rated Health Based on Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

An ANOVA was conducted to examine the main effects of satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities and the interaction effects between factors on SRH.
The results showed that the main effects on SRH were significant for safety levels (F = 37.167, p < 0.05), living environment (F = 11.813, p < 0.05), and medical services (F = 31.783, p < 0.05). However, the main effects of the natural environment and public transportation were not significant. Regarding the interaction effects between factors, significant interactions were found between safety levels and the natural environment (F = 11.125, p < 0.05); the natural and living environment (F = 10.31, p < 0.05); and the natural environment, public transportation, and medical services (F = 5.934, p < 0.05) at the 5% significance level. Additionally, the interaction between safety levels, the natural environment, and medical services (F = 3.020, p < 0.1) was significant at the 10% significance level (see Table 4).

3.4. Interaction Effects of Self-Rated Health Based on Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

The results of ANOVA showed that the main effects of satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities on SRH were significant for safety levels, living environment, and medical services. According to Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test, the safety level satisfaction group (M = 3.223) had higher SRH than the dissatisfaction group (M = 3.174). Similarly, individuals satisfied with medical services (M = 3.222) had higher SRH than those who were dissatisfied (M = 3.175). Meanwhile, for the living environment, the group that was dissatisfied (M = 3.213) had higher SRH than the satisfied group (M = 3.185) (see Table 5).

4. Discussion

This study utilized data from the 2023 KCHS to explore differences in physical activity and SRH according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities. The study provides foundational data to understand the impact of social and physical environments on health and physical activity, extending beyond school physical education within public education. Additionally, the study sought to identify ways in which lifelong physical education can contribute to improving quality of life.

4.1. Physical Activity According to Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

The findings are significant in that they provide a multifaceted analysis of the impact of satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities on physical activity levels. The finding that there are significant differences in various physical activity factors depending on environmental satisfaction is particularly important. The analysis of the impact of physical environmental factors, such as safety levels, natural and living environment, public transportation, and medical services on physical activity offers important implications. These findings suggest the need to improve environmental factors for promoting physical activity; although, environmental satisfaction alone does not predict activity levels.
Related studies have also explored the impact of community environment on physical activity in various ways. Cerin et al. [18] emphasized that various environmental factors globally influence physical activity and reported that the physical environment in urban areas can positively influence physical activity. Similarly, Sallis et al. [19], in a study of 20 cities worldwide, argued that a safe and well-designed urban environment plays a crucial role in promoting physical activity. However, in the results of this study, some environmental factors showed that the group that was dissatisfied had higher levels of physical activity than the group that was satisfied. This suggests that dissatisfaction with the environment could actually serve as a factor to promote physical activity. For example, a study by Sugiyama et al. [20] demonstrated that a walkable environment does not necessarily lead to higher physical activity, and that individual social and psychological factors could also play a crucial role.
The finding that the number of days of vigorous physical activity was higher in groups dissatisfied with the natural and living environment and public transportation suggests that dissatisfaction with specific environments could actually promote active participation in physical activity. This may imply that physical activity is used as an alternative activity to relieve stress caused by dissatisfaction or to overcome daily inconveniences [21]. Meanwhile, for moderate physical activity, the group satisfied with safety levels recorded more days of activity, indicating that a safe environment could be a major factor in promoting participation in moderate physical activity [22]. These results suggest that a safe environment provides a psychological safety net for physical activity, which in turn increases participation [23].
Additionally, the study presents paradoxical results, suggesting that environmental dissatisfaction could have a positive impact on physical activity levels, offering a new perspective on policy approaches for promoting physical activity. For instance, it highlights the need to develop various alternative programs that could encourage physical activity even in environments with dissatisfaction factors. Such programs may include challenging activities to overcome dissatisfaction or strategies that motivate community members to overcome environmental constraints themselves [24].
The implication is that not only is there a need for policy interventions that can encourage physical activity in environments with dissatisfaction factors, but there is also a need to promote physical activity by improving the physical environment of communities. This suggests that increasing environmental satisfaction is not the only way to enhance physical activity, and that strategies for promoting physical activity in various environmental contexts are required [25]. For example, in cases where dissatisfaction with elements such as the living environment or public transportation has a positive impact on physical activity, it may be important to develop alternative physical activity programs that help overcome these environmental constraints [26]. In this context, further research is needed to clarify the causes of how environmental dissatisfaction promotes physical activity. Understanding the social and psychological mechanisms by which dissatisfaction acts as a motivator will be a key task for future research [27].
These findings emphasize that when formulating public policies aimed at promoting physical activity, a multifaceted approach that considers dissatisfaction factors is necessary, rather than focusing solely on environmental improvements. In addition to improving the quality of the physical environment within communities, there is a need for strategic interventions that could turn perceived environmental dissatisfaction into opportunities to promote physical activity [28]. A comprehensive approach that takes into account the impact of social inequality and economic factors on physical activity and health is required in the policy-making process [29]. Additionally, tailored policies that support individuals from diverse social backgrounds to promote physical activity in different environments are needed.

4.2. Self-Rated Health According to Satisfaction with the Physical Environment of Local Communities

This study provides a multifaceted analysis of how satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities influences SRH, highlighting the significant impact of specific environmental factors on subjective health. In particular, the analysis of the effects of physical environmental factors, such as safety levels, living environment, and medical services, on subjective health offers important implications when compared to previous studies. These findings suggest that improving SRH requires not only the enhancement of the physical environment, but also the consideration of psychological factors related to individuals’ satisfaction with their environment.
Previous studies have also explored the impact of the physical environment in communities on subjective health in various ways. Regarding safety levels, some studies have reported that the safer a community is perceived to be, the more positively residents evaluate their own health [30]. Additionally, research consistently shows that higher safety levels reduce psychological stress, thereby improving SRH [31]. Other studies have shown that a well-established social safety net within a community could positively influence individual health perceptions [32]. Conversely, low safety levels have been argued to negatively impact both physical and mental health [33]. Particularly among the elderly, low safety levels have been found to negatively affect health [34]. These studies are consistent with the findings of this research, which show that satisfaction with safety levels influences SRH.
The finding that the natural environment does not significantly impact SRH contrasts with previous research. Earlier studies have reported that the natural environment positively influences health perceptions [11,12,35,36,37]. This discrepancy may be attributed to the unique regional characteristics of Korea, where many people live in densely populated, urban areas driven by urbanization. Therefore, the impact of the natural environment on health perceptions in daily life may be limited. Kim et al. [38] argued that, in Korea, social capital and economic stability have a greater influence on SRH than the natural environment. Similarly, a study by Kim and Cho [39] found that the living environment and social support networks had a greater impact on health perceptions than the natural environment. Research has also shown that factors such as access to public transportation, convenience facilities, residential economic stability, and medical services have a more significant impact on SRH than the natural environment [40,41]. This suggests that economic and social determinants of health play a stronger role than the natural environment in Korea.
The finding that satisfaction with the living environment positively influences SRH is consistent with previous research. Studies have shown that the higher the quality of the living environment, the more positively residents evaluate their health [42]. Other research has argued that a clean and well-maintained environment is associated with higher SRH [43]. Additionally, the quality of the living environment, particularly access to nearby facilities and services, and the quality of local shops, has been reported to positively impact SRH [44]. Middle-aged and elderly individuals living in areas with good physical environments are also more likely to report higher SRH [45]. The positive impact of green spaces on SRH can also be understood within this context [46].
However, it is worth noting that, in this study, the group dissatisfied with their living environment actually reported higher SRH. This suggests that dissatisfaction with the living environment may motivate individuals to improve their health perceptions. The Poor People’s Campaign [47] pointed out that a dissatisfactory living environment could actually promote individual efforts and determination to improve health. This reflects a situation where dissatisfaction with the living environment leads to more proactive self-management or behavior changes aimed at maintaining and improving health.
The finding that satisfaction with public transportation does not significantly impact SRH contrasts with previous research. Earlier studies have reported that access to public transportation significantly influences physical activity and subjective health [48,49,50,51,52]. However, it can be interpreted that, in Korea, where the public transportation system is already well-developed, the impact of public transportation satisfaction on health may not be significant [13,14]. Additionally, studies suggesting that social relationships and workplace environments have a greater impact on self-rated health than public transportation can help explain these results [53].
The finding that satisfaction with medical services positively influences SRH is consistent with previous research. A representative study showed that improved access to medical services leads to individuals evaluating their health more positively [54]. Other research has also found that individuals residing in areas with good medical services tend to evaluate their health more positively [55]. Additionally, studies have consistently shown that higher access to medical services encourages residents to evaluate their health more positively [56]. The tendency for individuals to evaluate their health more positively when they have a trusting relationship with their primary care physician can also be understood in this context [57].
In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of how the physical environment of local communities influences SRH, revealing that high environmental satisfaction does not always correlate with higher SRH. This emphasizes the need to not only improve the physical environment but also provide psychological and social support that could transform environmental dissatisfaction into a positive motivator for enhancing subjective health. An alternative approach to improving health in environments with dissatisfaction factors is required. This suggests the necessity of a personalized approach that considers environmental satisfaction when formulating policies aimed at promoting health. Furthermore, in Korea, where rapid urbanization has driven regional imbalances, and economic and social factors are perceived to have a greater impact on health [38], it is advisable to analyze the sociocultural factors influencing health in each region and identify and improve the physical environments that require priority attention. In this context, future research should comprehensively explore the various environmental and psychological factors that influence SRH. This will contribute to more effectively establishing community health promotion strategies.

4.3. Limitations and Scope for Further Research

Several limitations of this study should be acknowledged, and suggestions for future research addressing these limitations are proposed. First, this study was a large-scale project targeting a broad range of participants. Future studies should stratify and compare data by sex, age, and geographic region. Second, this study utilized large-scale national public data, which typically include numerous variables. Future research should compare variables across groups based on the physical environment or incorporate additional factors beyond the physical environment. Third, the physical activity variables in this study included work-related activity, which differs from the concept of leisure physical activity. Future studies should explore work-related activity and leisure physical activity separately. Fourth, this study examined differences in physical activity and SRH based on satisfaction with the local community’s physical environment without considering other variables. Future research should investigate differences in variables based on participants’ health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. Lastly, this study employed MANOVA and ANOVA to analyze differences. Future research should consider using multivariate regression analysis or other methods to achieve more precise results and explore the relationships between variables through qualitative approaches.

5. Conclusions

This study utilized data from the 2023 KCHS to explore differences in physical activity and SRH according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities, targeting 231,752 adults aged 19 and older. The aim was to provide foundational data for policy efforts to identify and address the causes of increasingly deepening regional health disparities. The results are as follows:
First, regarding physical activity according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities, significant differences were observed based on satisfaction with safety levels in the number of days of moderate physical activity and walking; vigorous physical activity and walking based on satisfaction with the natural environment; moderate physical activity, walking, and flexibility exercises based on satisfaction with medical services; and all physical activity factors based on satisfaction with the living environment and public transportation.
The interaction effect between factors revealed significant differences in various physical activities when certain factors were aligned. In multiple comparisons, the results consistently demonstrated that more physical activity was performed when participants were satisfied with the local community’s physical environment and when they were dissatisfied with the physical environment.
Second, concerning SRH according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities, significant differences were found in safety levels, living environment, and medical services. The groups satisfied with safety levels and medical services reported higher SRH than the dissatisfied groups; whereas, for the living environment, the dissatisfied group reported higher SRH than the satisfied group.
In the multiple comparisons, the group satisfied with the safety and medical services reported higher SRH than the dissatisfied group; however, the opposite result was observed for the living environment.
In summary, satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities was found to have different impacts on physical activity and SRH depending on the factors involved. Satisfaction with certain aspects of the physical environment positively impacted both physical activity and SRH. This suggests the need for practical efforts to reduce disparities in the physical environment between regions and to increase residents’ satisfaction. Tailored strategies for each region’s specific factors are necessary to create a physical environment that bridges regional health disparities. Furthermore, there is a need to reflect on how national-level health policies have relied on school physical education and have not devoted sufficient policy efforts in addressing the health issues of adults beyond their student years. The significant differences in satisfaction ratios among the factors related to the physical environment of local communities indicate that social infrastructure has not been adequately established. It is imperative to focus on the goal of lifelong physical education across all age groups and to work toward creating the necessary physical environments in local communities.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; methodology, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; data collection, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; analysis, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; investigation, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; writing—original draft preparation, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; writing—review and editing, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L.; supervision, B.-K.C., S.-W.P. and S.-M.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The ethical review and approval for this study were waived by Korea National University of Education due to the utilization of secondary data.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available because of the protection of personal information.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the study’s participants, who generously volunteered to participate in the present study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Appendix A

The study variables are as follows.
  • Satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities
In the 2023 KCHS utilized in this study, the social and physical environment includes the concepts of neighborhood trust, events (celebrations and condolences), and safety, the natural and living environment, public transportation, and medical services. In this study, the two factors related to neighbors (neighborhood trust and events) were excluded, as satisfaction with these factors was not measured.
  • Satisfaction with the natural environment
The natural environment includes factors such as air and water quality. Respondents were asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question, “Are you satisfied with the natural environment in your neighborhood?”.
  • Satisfaction with the living environment
The living environment includes factors such as electricity, water supply and sewage systems, garbage collection, and sports facilities. Respondents were asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question, “Are you satisfied with the living environment in your neighborhood?”.
  • Satisfaction with public transportation
Public transportation includes buses, taxis, subways, and trains. Respondents were asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question, “Are you satisfied with the public transportation system in your neighborhood?”.
  • Satisfaction with medical services
Medical services include health centers, hospitals, traditional Korean medical clinics, and pharmacies. Respondents were asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the question, “Are you satisfied with the medical services in your neighborhood?”.
  • Number of days of vigorous physical activity
Vigorous physical activity refers to high-intensity physical activity, including running (jogging), hiking, fast cycling, fast swimming, soccer, basketball, skipping rope, squash, singles tennis, and heavy lifting, whether as part of occupational activities or sports. In the KCHS, the respondents were asked to indicate the number of days they had engaged in vigorous physical activity for at least 10 min in the past week, based on the question, “During the past 7 days, how many days did you engage in vigorous physical activity for at least 10 min that made you feel very tired or short of breath?”.
  • Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity
Moderate physical activity includes slow swimming, doubles tennis, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and light lifting, whether as part of occupational activities or sports. In the KCHS, respondents were asked to indicate the number of days they had engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 10 min during the past week, excluding walking, based on the question, “During the past 7 days, on how many days did you engage in moderate physical activity for at least 10 min (excluding walking) that made you feel slightly tired or short of breath?”
  • Number of days of walking
Walking practice includes walking for commuting, school, travel, and exercise. Respondents were asked to indicate the number of days they had walked for at least 10 min at a stretch during the past week, based on the question, “During the past 7 days, on how many days did you walk for at least 10 min at a stretch?”
  • Number of days of flexibility exercise
Flexibility exercises include stretching and calisthenics. Respondents were asked to indicate the number of days they had engaged in flexibility exercises such as stretching or calisthenics during the past week, based on the question, “During the past 7 days, on how many days did you engage in flexibility exercises such as stretching or calisthenics?”. The response options were structured as follows: ① none, ② 1 day, ③ 2 days, ④ 3 days, ⑤ 4 days, and ⑥ 5 days or more. In the analysis process, the responses were coded as 0 for Bold text is required as a variable. I agree with simply removing the bold effect. “None”, 1 for “1 day”, 2 for “2 days”, 3 for “3 days”, 4 for “4 days”, and 5 for “5 days or more” to convert the variables into the number of days.
  • Self-rated health
SRH was assessed based on the question, “How would you rate your overall health?”. The response options were structured as follows: ① very good, ② good, ③ fair, ④ poor, and ⑤ very poor. In the analysis process, the responses were reverse-coded for ease of interpretation: 5 points for “Very good”, 4 points for “Good”, 3 points for “Fair”, 2 points for “Poor”, and 1 point for “Very poor”. This was carried out for ease of interpretation, so that a higher average score indicates a higher subjective health level for the group.

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Figure 1. Flow diagram.
Figure 1. Flow diagram.
Healthcare 12 02244 g001
Table 1. General characteristics of the participants.
Table 1. General characteristics of the participants.
VariablesCategories
N (%)
GenderMaleFemale
105,754 (45.6)125,998 (54.4)
Age (years)19~2930~3940~4950~5960~69>70
21,540
(9.3)
24,339
(10.5)
33,816
(14.6)
42,753
(18.4)
51,853
(22.4)
57,451
(24.8)
Satisfaction
with the physical
environment
of local
communities
Safety
Levels
Natural
Environment
Living
Environment
Public
Transportation
Medical
Services
YesNoRefuse to respondDon’t knowYesNoRefuse to respondDon’t knowYesNoRefuse to respondDon’t knowYesNoRefuse to respondDon’t knowYesNoRefuse to respondDon’t know
198,811
(85.8)
30,124
(13.0)
34
(0.0)
2783
(1.2)
192,404
(83.0)
38,277
(16.5)
27
(0.0)
1044
(0.5)
197,975
(85.4)
32,943
(14.2)
26
(0.0)
808
(0.3)
160,905
(69.4)
66,952
(28.9)
29
(0.0)
3866
(1.7)
169,532
(73.2)
60,417
(26.1)
30
(0.0)
1773
(0.8)
Self-rated
health
Very goodGoodAveragePoorVery poorRefuse to respondDon’t know
12,825
(5.5)
75,341
(32.5)
98,935
(42.7)
36,125
(15.6)
8524
(3.7)
0
(0.0)
2
(0.0)
Number of days of
vigorous physical activity
(days/week)
None1234567Refuse to
respond
Don’t
know
174,829
(75.4)
12,533
(5.4)
11,877
(5.1)
11,962
(5.2)
4855
(2.1)
8115
(3.5)
2249
(1.0)
5321
(2.3)
2
(0.0)
9
(0.0)
Number of days of
moderate intensity
physical activity (days/week)
None1234567Refuse to
respond
Don’t
know
146,678
(63.3)
11,624
(5.0)
16,034
(6.9)
18,347
(7.9)
6705
(2.9)
14,808
(6.4)
4095
(1.8)
13,448
(5.8)
1
(0.0)
12
(0.0)
Number of days
of walking (days/week)
None1234567Refuse to
respond
Don’t
know
40,183
(17.3)
8743
(3.8)
16,794
(7.2)
26,203
(11.3)
13,261
(5.7)
35,546
(15.3)
11,126
(4.8)
79,888
(34.5)
1
(0.0)
7
(0.0)
Number of days
of flexibility
exercise (days/week)
None1234>5Refuse to
respond
Don’t
know
103,048
(44.5)
10,610
(4.6)
18,455
(8.0)
25,355
(10.9)
9455
(4.1)
64,817
(28.0)
0
(0.0)
12
(0.0)
Hypertension
diagnosis
experience
YesNoRefuse to respondDon’t know
72,594
(31.3)
159,144
(68.7)
2
(0.0)
12
(0.0)
Diabetes
diagnosis
experience
YesNoRefuse to respondDon’t know
31,725
(13.7)
200,011
(86.3)
2
(0.0)
14
(0.0)
Tested using frequency analysis.
Table 2. Physical activity according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities (multivariate analysis of variance).
Table 2. Physical activity according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities (multivariate analysis of variance).
FactorDependent VariableSum of SquaresDFMean SquareFSignificance Probability
Safety LevelsNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.90410.9041.4800.224
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity35.906135.90639.609 ***0.000
Number of days of walking6.60416.6047.468 **0.006
Number of days of flexibility exercise2.84612.8462.9060.088
Natural EnvironmentNumber of days of vigorous physical activity5.44515.4458.910 **0.003
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.00310.0030.0030.957
Number of days of walking22.964122.96425.967 ***0.000
Number of days of flexibility exercise3.52113.5213.5950.058
Living EnvironmentNumber of days of vigorous physical activity31.967131.96752.312 ***0.000
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity7.56117.5618.341 **0.004
Number of days of walking25.381125.38128.700 ***0.000
Number of days of flexibility exercise6.87116.8717.016 **0.008
Public TransportationNumber of days of vigorous physical activity3.27113.2715.352 *0.021
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity4.10814.1084.531 *0.033
Number of days of walking98.143198.143110.981 ***0.000
Number of days of flexibility exercise21.064121.06421.509 ***0.000
Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.29510.2950.4830.487
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity9.53019.53010.513 *0.001
Number of days of walking135.6351135.635153.376 ***0.000
Number of days of flexibility exercise24.499124.49925.016 ***0.000
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment
Number of days of vigorous physical activity5.78515.7859.466 **0.002
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity9.33619.33610.298 **0.001
Number of days of walking1.72611.7261.9520.162
Number of days of flexibility exercise10.153110.15310.367 **0.001
Safety Levels *
Living Environment
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.93710.9371.5340.216
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity1.83311.8332.0220.155
Number of days of walking2.45612.4562.7770.096
Number of days of flexibility exercise3.47013.4703.5430.060
Safety Levels *
Public Transportation
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.19510.1950.3200.572
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity1.78511.7851.9690.161
Number of days of walking0.14210.1420.1610.688
Number of days of flexibility exercise3.81813.8183.898 *0.048
Safety Levels *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.94110.9411.5400.215
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity3.63113.6314.006 *0.045
Number of days of walking0.82310.8230.9300.335
Number of days of flexibility exercise8.44218.4428.620 **0.003
Natural Environment * Living EnvironmentNumber of days of vigorous physical activity4.94514.9458.092 **0.004
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity6.45116.4517.116 **0.008
Number of days of walking0.98410.9841.1130.291
Number of days of flexibility exercise7.05017.0507.199 **0.007
Natural Environment * Public TransportationNumber of days of vigorous physical activity1.04311.0431.7080.191
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity2.25312.2532.4850.115
Number of days of walking2.10712.1072.3820.123
Number of days of flexibility exercise1.12911.1291.1530.283
Natural Environment * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity1.85211.8523.0310.082
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity4.50114.5014.965 *0.026
Number of days of walking1.17911.1791.3330.248
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.14210.1420.1450.704
Living Environment * Public TransportationNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.17710.1770.2890.591
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity1.37811.3781.5200.218
Number of days of walking4.11114.1114.649 *0.031
Number of days of flexibility exercise3.03413.0343.0980.078
Living Environment * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.30510.3050.4980.480
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.25910.2590.2860.593
Number of days of walking0.37810.3780.4270.514
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.76110.7610.7770.378
Public Transportation * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.87610.8761.4340.231
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.07010.0700.0770.782
Number of days of walking0.31910.3190.3610.548
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.01810.0180.0190.891
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Living Environment
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.18410.1840.3020.583
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity2.32612.3262.5660.109
Number of days of walking0.09110.0910.1020.749
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.60310.6030.6160.432
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Public Transportation
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.13010.1300.2130.644
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.06210.0620.0690.793
Number of days of walking0.00210.0020.0020.966
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.00110.0010.0010.982
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity1.18411.1841.9370.164
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.17310.1730.1910.662
Number of days of walking1.65111.6511.8670.172
Number of days of flexibility exercise1.56911.5691.6020.206
Safety Levels *
Living Environment *
Public Transportation
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.00610.0060.0100.919
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.09210.0920.1020.750
Number of days of walking0.82610.8260.9350.334
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.92010.9200.9400.332
Safety Levels *
Living Environment *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.14710.1470.2410.624
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.01110.0110.0120.912
Number of days of walking0.21710.2170.2450.620
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.76010.7600.7760.378
Safety Levels *
Public Transportation *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.21310.2130.3480.555
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.00910.0090.0100.919
Number of days of walking0.14010.1400.1580.691
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.09210.0920.0940.759
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Public TransportationNumber of days of vigorous physical activity1.86511.8653.0510.081
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity3.11913.1193.4400.064
Number of days of walking0.20210.2020.2290.632
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.67510.6750.6890.407
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity1.90211.9023.1130.078
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity4.82714.8275.324 *0.021
Number of days of walking0.16010.1600.1810.671
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.38410.3840.3920.531
Natural Environment * Public Transportation * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity1.13511.1351.8570.173
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity1.22611.2261.3520.245
Number of days of walking0.86910.8690.9830.321
Number of days of flexibility exercise6.55116.5516.689 *0.010
Living Environment * Public Transportation * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.02510.0250.0410.840
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity2.31112.3112.5500.110
Number of days of walking8.14418.1449.210 **0.002
Number of days of flexibility exercise1.16911.1691.1940.275
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Living Environment *
Public Transportation
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.17910.1790.2930.588
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.02610.0260.0290.865
Number of days of walking2.42712.4272.7440.098
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.24710.2470.2520.616
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Living Environment *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity2.54912.5494.171 *0.041
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity1.44111.4411.5900.207
Number of days of walking1.48911.4891.6840.194
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.54910.5490.5610.454
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment *
Public Transportation *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity1.32311.3232.1650.141
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.21810.2180.2410.624
Number of days of walking0.64610.6460.7300.393
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.22610.2260.2310.631
Safety Levels *
Living Environment *
Public Transportation *
Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.36110.3610.5910.442
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.39210.3920.4320.511
Number of days of walking2.30212.3022.6030.107
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.89410.8940.9130.339
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Public Transportation * Medical ServicesNumber of days of vigorous physical activity0.02410.0240.0400.842
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.23510.2350.2600.610
Number of days of walking3.86813.8684.374 *0.036
Number of days of flexibility exercise2.34312.3432.3930.122
Safety Levels *
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Public Transportation * Medical Services
Number of days of vigorous physical activity0.63310.6331.0360.309
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity0.05210.0520.0580.810
Number of days of walking0.47410.4740.5360.464
Number of days of flexibility exercise0.03410.0340.0350.853
Error TermNumber of days of vigorous physical activity137,099.018224,3580.611
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activity203,385.371224,3580.907
Number of days of walking198,406.535224,3580.884
Number of days of flexibility exercise219,724.016224,3580.979
* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, tested using MANOVA.
Table 3. Comparison of estimated means of self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
Table 3. Comparison of estimated means of self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
Dependent
Variable
Physical Environment of Local CommunitiesMeanStandard Error
Number of days of vigorous physical activityNatural
Environment
Satisfied0.463 a0.005
Dissatisfied0.484 b0.005
Living
Environment
Satisfied0.448 a0.004
Dissatisfied0.499 b0.006
Public
Transportation
Satisfied0.466 a0.005
Dissatisfied0.482 b0.005
Number of days of moderate intensity physical activitySafety LevelsSatisfied0.731 b0.005
Dissatisfied0.677 a0.007
Living
Environment
Satisfied0.691 a0.005
Dissatisfied0.716 b0.007
Public
Transportation
Satisfied0.695 a0.006
Dissatisfied0.713 b0.006
Medical ServicesSatisfied0.690 a0.006
Dissatisfied0.718 b0.006
Number of days of walking Safety LevelsSatisfied1.822 a0.005
Dissatisfied1.845 b0.007
Natural
Environment
Satisfied1.812 a0.006
Dissatisfied1.855 b0.006
Living
Environment
Satisfied1.811 a0.005
Dissatisfied1.856 b0.007
Public
Transportation
Satisfied1.878 b0.006
Dissatisfied1.789 a0.006
Medical ServicesSatisfied1.886 b0.006
Dissatisfied1.781 a0.006
Number of days of flexibility exerciseLiving
Environment
Satisfied1.075 a0.006
Dissatisfied1.098 b0.007
Public
Transportation
Satisfied1.107 b0.006
Dissatisfied1.066 a0.006
Medical ServicesSatisfied1.109 b0.006
Dissatisfied1.064 a0.007
Bonferroni: a < b, tested using MANOVA.
Table 4. Self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
Table 4. Self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
VariableSum of SquaresDFMean SquareFSignificance Probability
Safety Levels29.977129.97737.167 ***0.000
Natural Environment0.89410.8941.1090.292
Living Environment9.52719.52711.813 **0.001
Public Transportation0.04510.0450.0550.814
Medical Services25.635125.63531.783 ***0.000
Safety Levels * Natural Environment8.97318.97311.125 **0.001
Safety Levels * Living Environment0.06710.0670.0830.773
Safety Levels * Public Transportation0.34310.3430.4250.515
Safety Levels * Medical Services0.03810.0380.0480.827
Natural Environment * Living Environment8.31818.31810.312 **0.001
Natural Environment * Public Transportation0.16510.1650.2050.651
Natural Environment * Medical Services0.19810.1980.2450.621
Living Environment * Public Transportation0.54110.5410.6710.413
Living Environment * Medical Services0.00510.0050.0060.936
Public Transportation * Medical Services0.00110.0010.0010.976
Safety Levels * Natural Environment * Living Environment0.65410.6540.8110.368
Safety Levels * Natural Environment * Public Transportation0.57910.5790.7180.397
Safety Levels * Natural Environment * Medical Services2.43612.4363.0200.082
Safety Levels * Living Environment * Public Transportation0.51510.5150.6380.424
Safety Levels * Living Environment * Medical Services1.05111.0511.3030.254
Safety Levels * Public Transportation * Medical Services0.24710.2470.3060.580
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Public Transportation0.02610.0260.0330.857
Natural Environment * Living Environment * Medical Services1.43011.4301.7730.183
Natural Environment * Public Transportation * Medical Services4.78614.7865.934 *0.015
Living Environment * Public Transportation * Medical Services0.24710.2470.3060.580
Safety Levels * Natural Environment *
Living Environment * Public Transportation
0.08310.0830.1030.748
Safety Levels * Natural Environment *
Living Environment * Medical Services
0.29210.2920.3620.548
Safety Levels * Natural Environment *
Public Transportation * Medical Services
0.04910.0490.0610.804
Safety Levels * Living Environment *
Public Transportation * Medical Services
1.23011.2301.5250.217
Natural Environment * Living Environment *
Public Transportation * Medical Services
0.02810.0280.0350.852
Safety Levels * Natural Environment *
Living Environment * Public Transportation * Medical Services
0.05510.0550.0680.794
Error180,974.268224,3810.807
* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, tested using ANOVA.
Table 5. Comparison of estimated means of self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
Table 5. Comparison of estimated means of self-rated health according to satisfaction with the physical environment of local communities.
Dependent
Variable
Physical Environment of Local CommunitiesMeanStandard Error
Self-rated healthSafety LevelsSatisfied3.223 b0.005
Dissatisfied3.174 a0.007
Living
Environment
Satisfied3.185 a0.005
Dissatisfied3.213 b0.006
Medical
Services
Satisfied3.222 b0.005
Dissatisfied3.175 a0.006
Bonferroni: a < b, tested using ANOVA.
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Chang, B.-K.; Park, S.-W.; Lee, S.-M. Differences in Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Levels Based on Satisfaction with Physical Environment of Local Communities: From School to Lifelong Physical Education. Healthcare 2024, 12, 2244. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222244

AMA Style

Chang B-K, Park S-W, Lee S-M. Differences in Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Levels Based on Satisfaction with Physical Environment of Local Communities: From School to Lifelong Physical Education. Healthcare. 2024; 12(22):2244. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222244

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chang, Byung-Kweon, Se-Won Park, and Seung-Man Lee. 2024. "Differences in Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Levels Based on Satisfaction with Physical Environment of Local Communities: From School to Lifelong Physical Education" Healthcare 12, no. 22: 2244. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222244

APA Style

Chang, B. -K., Park, S. -W., & Lee, S. -M. (2024). Differences in Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Levels Based on Satisfaction with Physical Environment of Local Communities: From School to Lifelong Physical Education. Healthcare, 12(22), 2244. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222244

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