The association between perceived 15-minute fitness circle accessibility and physical activity in China: the mediating role of informal social support
作者：Yifei Shen, Chuntian Lu, Yichen Ma · 发表于：International Journal for Equity in Health · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12939-025-02745-3
Differences in physical activity levels partly reflect structural inequalities in access to health opportunities. According to the socio-ecological model theory, physical activity is influenced by multiple factors across individual characteristics, interpersonal relationships, community environments, and policy systems. Among these, the spatial distribution of fitness facilities, as a key component of urban planning, potential to reshape the allocation of community level and thus offers a novel pathway to alleviate health inequities. In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted the development of the 15-minute fitness circle, aiming to enhance residents’ access to exercise by optimizing the equitable allocation of community fitness resources. This study utilizes data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to construct an analytical framework encompassing residents’ perceived accessibility to the 15-minute fitness circle, self-reported physical activity, and informal social support—including Relative support, friend support, and neighbor support. First, we examine the direct effect of residents’ perceived accessibility to the 15-minute fitness circle on their self-reported physical activity. Subsequently, we further analyze the mediating role of informal social support in this process. The results of this study indicate that: (1) residents’ perceived accessibility to the 15-minute fitness circle has a significant positive effect on public physical ac...