Conference Agenda

Background: The built environment influences physical activity and obesity, but cultural and infrastructural contexts may shape how women utilize these environments. This research compared perceptions of the built environment and their associations with physical activity and body mass index (BMI) among women in Hungary and Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted 6 months long with 800 adult women, (Hungary n=401, Jordan n=399) aged 18–45 years. Data were collected using the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey (PANES), International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and self-reported anthropometrics. Non-parametric tests analyzed variations in built environment subthemes among physical activity and BMI classifications. Results: Hungarian participants indicated notably elevated scores for amenable environments, walkability/cyclability, traffic safety, and the overall built environment, whereas Jordanian women felt a stronger sense of safety from crime. Women engaged in moderate-to-high physical activity and those with a normal BMI indicated more supportive surroundings compared to their peers who are less active or overweight/obese. Owning a car was accompanied to reduced physical activity, especially in Jordan (92% ownership compared to 61% in Hungary). Conclusion: Supportive environment with features such as accessible parks, safe walking infrastructure, and active transportation systems, were associated with higher physical activity and optimal BMI among female adults. Nonetheless, dependency on cars and restricted green areas, especially in Amman, could inhibit these advantages. Urban planning and public health initiatives must incorporate cultural and infrastructural elements to encourage women’s active living.