Determinants of activity-friendly neighborhoods for children: results from the SPACE study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between children's physical activity and factors of the built environment.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Setting. Ten neighborhoods in six cities in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Four hundred twenty-two children (age range, 6-11 years; 49% male).


METHODS
Physical activity diary, neighborhood observations, and anthropometric measures.


METHODS
Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
According to univariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and highest level of maternal education, physical activity (> or = 3 metabolic equivalents) was significantly (p < .05) associated with the proportion of green space, with the residential density, with the general impression of activity-friendliness of the neighborhood, and with the frequency of certain types of residences (e.g., terraced houses), sports fields, water, dog waste, heavy traffic, and safe walking and cycling conditions (e.g., cycle tracks and 30-km speed zones) in the neighborhood. According to adjusted multivariate analyses, physical activity was best predicted by the frequency of parallel parking spaces in the neighborhood and by the general impression of activity-friendliness of the neighborhood (I2 = 0. 193).


CONCLUSIONS
Children's physical activity is associated with certain modifiable factors of the built environment. Longitudinal studies should examine whether there is a causal relationship.
de Vries
Sanne I
SI
Department of Physical Activity and Health, TNO Quality of Life, Leiden, the Netherlands. sanne.devries@tno.nl
Bakker
Ingrid
I
van Mechelen
Willem
W
Hopman-Rock
Marijke
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009043:Motor Activity; D009426:Netherlands; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification*