Built environment effects on the physical activity and mental well-being of young women in the Balkans

Introduction While physical activity is widely recognized as a key factor in physical and mental health, the impact of subjective and objective built environment characteristics on well-being across different population groups remains understudied. This gap is particularly evident among specific ethnic groups and genders, as most such studies focus on populations from Western and high-income countries. The primary objective of this paper is to assess the associations between various built environment characteristics, including both objective and subjective features, with the levels of physical activity and the well-being of young women in the Balkans. Methods To achieve this, a questionnaire survey was designed and implemented in five cities in the Balkans: Niš (Serbia), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Athens (Greece), Bucharest (Romania), and Štip (North Macedonia), targeting the sub-population of young women. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) modelling was employed to identify the subjective and objective built environment characteristics that affect engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity and well-being. Results Findings of this paper show that a high level of street connectivity is associated with a higher level of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Additionally, there is a significant association between exciting green spaces in the neighborhood, proximity to shops, mixed land-use neighborhoods, cycling infrastructure, and higher levels of physical activity and well-being. Discussion These results suggest that inclusive urban planning strategies could play a key role in improving public health outcomes for this underrepresented demographic.