title: Association of neighborhood design and recreation environment variables with physical activity and body mass index in adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age = 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic information systems. A neighborhood walkability index was based on land use mix, retail density, street connectivity, and residential density. Proximity to public and private recreation facilities was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a linear regression, the walkability index within 0.5 mile of homes was related to minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, explaining approximately 4% of variance. Recreation variables were not related to physical activity, and BMI was not explained by environmental variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neighborhood walkability was related to adolescents'physical activity, similar to findings for adults.
authors: San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92103, USA.
authors: Morton
authors: M
authors: Kligerman
authors: James F
authors: JF
authors: Sallis
authors: Sherry
authors: S
authors: Ryan
authors: Lawrence D
authors: LD
authors: Frank
authors: Philip R
authors: PR
authors: Nader
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D044465:White People