Xplaining the role of land-use distribution and the built environment in the physical activity and health of residents of urban neighborhoods:the case study of Isfahan metropolis

The growth of the urbanization rate and the increase in physical and mental diseases caused by people's inactivity. In the present research, which was conducted in Isfahan metropolis, it was first determined that the average body mass index of the sample was overweight (=25.89). Also, the weekly activity metabolism index on the average of the total minutes of activity per week (=3.92) showed that the activity status of people is at an average level. Then, using SEM, the role of built environment components on people's physical activity. The impact of physical activity on residents' health was also evaluated. The study area was 15 districts of Isfahan, and the questionnaire was distributed among 402 residents of these districts. The values of reliability, validity and overall fit of the model are within appropriate limits. The results showed that all the variables in the first level of the model, including "variety of uses," "access to uses and services," "street connectivity," "walking and cycling possibilities," "cognitive beauty,” “safety," and "security" had a positive and significant impact on "built environment" and among them "walking and cycling facilities" more than other components. In the second level, the average physical activity was measured in different ranges and intensities, and the coefficients of the path of the built environment were positive and significant in both activity ranges. The results in the third level of the model showed that "activity for sports and recreation" affects the health of residents more than activity for daily affairs.