Neighbourhood Design, Lifestyle Behaviours, and Self-Rated Health: Evidence from Osogbo, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.049Keywords:
Osogbo, Osun State, Self-Rated Health, Neighbourhood Design, Lifestyle BehavioursAbstract
Rising urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa has raised concerns about the effect of neighbourhood design on health outcomes. Nonetheless, not much empirical evidence on Nigerian cities exists. This paper thus explored the linkage between neighbourhood design, lifestyle behaviours and self-rated health among residents of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 328 residents living in core, transition, and suburban residential areas via multistage sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on neighbourhood characteristics, physical activity, dietary patterns, and self-rated health, which was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Findings showed that walking was the most used form of transport to open spaces (54.5%), yet physical activity engagement was largely irregular, with 57.2% of respondents walking 0-2 days per week. There was moderate availability of neighbourhood open spaces, though major shortcomings were identified in shaded areas (mean score 2.93/5), cleanliness (3.01/5) and public toilets (3.03/5). The results indicate that neighbourhood design has no statistically significant effect on physical activity (r = 0.040, p > 0.05) or dietary behaviour (r = 0.039, p > 0.05). Physical activity, although common, especially walking, was mostly utilitarian, irregular, and of low intensity and not a significant predictor of self-rated health (β = -0.021, p > 0.05). Conversely, dietary behaviour had a significant positive impact on self-rated health (β = 0.171, p < 0.05), with the result showing a nutrition transition marked by high intake of processed and fried foods. The research concludes that lifestyle behaviours among residents in Osogbo are influenced more by socio-economic conditions and food environment than by neighbourhood design. It recommends integrated urban health initiatives that prioritise food environment regulation and the enhanced quality of neighbourhood infrastructure.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ayodeji, Olusola Ajayi, Ismail Adedapo Oyerinde, Olayiwola Olayode, Busuyi Adonis, Fakanlu (Author)
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