Perceived Neighborhood Environments and physical activity in adolescents.
BACKGROUND
There is a reason to believe that physical environments variables play an especially important role in the level of physical activity. Few studies have examined the association between environmental variables and level of physical activity in adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims were: (1) to evaluate differences in perceived neighborhood environment according to physical activity level and (2) to determine which, if any, perceived neighborhood environmental variables were associated with reported physical activity levels in an adolescent population.


METHODS
The sample comprised of 1123 adolescents, which were classified according to physical activity levels into actives (n = 589) and non-active (n = 534). A questionnaire assessed Perceived Neighborhood Environments. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire and used as the dependent variable.


RESULTS
More active children were reported to more significantly (P < 0.05) agree with the importance of the accessibility of shops, the social environment, neighbors with recreational facilities, and aesthetics. Logistic regression analysis showed that aesthetic (OR = 1.302; P = 0.05) and recreational facilities (OR = 1.297; P = 0.05) domains were related to being physically active.


CONCLUSIONS
Some perceived neighborhood environmental attributes were found to be associated with level of physical activity in adolescents.
Mota
Jorge
J
Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure-FCDEF/UP, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, 4200450 Porto, Portugal. jmota@fcdef.up.pt
Almeida
Mariana
M
Santos
Paula
P
Ribeiro
José Carlos
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires