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The objective of this study was to verify the validity of the perception of environ­ment scale for engagement in physical activity in adult population. Two samples were drawn: the first, to compare the scale results with built environment and engagement in physical activity (767 individuals with 18 years or more); and the latter, for the analyses of repeat­ability (30 individuals with 60 years or more). Both studies were carried out in Ermelino Matarazzo District, eastern zone of the city of São Paulo. The perception of environment scale was developed based on the NEWS scale and on a social support for physical activity scale, and the final version comprised 38 questions. Data analysis: The scale results were compared to built environment and physical activity level, and for repeatability measure. The correlation coefficients for questions varied from r=0.51 to r=0.89, and for scores they varied from r=0.72 to r=0.94. There was significant agreement between means of percep­tion of environment score of facilities for physical activity and the respective classification of built environment (p

There is strong evidence indicating that the environment where people live has a marked influence on physical activity. The current understanding of this relationship is based on studies conducted in developed and culturally distinct countries and may not be applicable to the context of Brazil. In this respect, a better understanding of methods evaluating the relationship between the environment and physical activity may contribute to the development of new studies in this area in Brazil. The objective of the present study was to briefly describe the main methods used to assess the relationship between built environment and physical activity. Three main approaches are used to obtain information about the environment: 1) environmental perception; 2) systematic observation, and 3) geoprocessing. These methods are mainly applied to evaluate population density, mixed land use, physical activity facilities, street patterns, sidewalk/bike path coverage, public transportation, and safety/esthetics. In Brazil, studies investigating the relationship between the environment and physical activity are scarce, but the number of studies is growing. Thus, further studies are necessary and methods applicable to the context of Brazil need to be developed in order to increase the understanding of this subject. Fortes evidências indicam que o ambiente onde as pessoas vivem possui grande influência na atividade física. O atual entendimento desta relação é baseado em estudos realizados em países desenvolvidos e culturalmente distintos, podendo não ser aplicável ao contexto do Brasil. Neste sentido, melhor entendimento dos métodos de avaliação do ambiente relacionado à prática de atividade física pode colaborar com o desenvolvimento dos estudos nesta nova área no contexto Brasileiro. O presente estudo busca apresentar, de forma breve, os principais métodos de avaliação do ambiente construído relacionado à atividade física. Três principais meios de obter informações sobre o ambiente têm sido utilizados: 1) baseados na percepção do ambiente; 2) observação sistemática do ambiente e 3) baseados em informações geoprocessadas. Estes métodos têm sido aplicados para avaliar, principalmente, densidade populacional, uso misto do solo, locais para a prática de atividade física, padrão das ruas, cobertura de calçadas/ciclovias, transporte público e segurança/estética dos locais. No Brasil, ainda são escassos os estudos investigando a relação do ambiente com a atividade física, no entanto, parece ser crescente o número de pesquisas sobre este tema. Desta forma, é necessário aumentar o número de estudos e desenvolver métodos aplicáveis ao contexto brasileiro para aumentar o entendimento sobre o assunto.