Perceived versus actual distance to local physical-activity facilities: does it really matter?
BACKGROUND
Research in adults shows poor agreement between self-reported and objectively measured proximity to physical activity resources; however there is little such research in adolescents. This study assessed the level of agreement between self-reported and objective measures of distance to physical activity resources in adolescents; and whether perceived or actual distance was related to actual use and physical activity levels.


METHODS
110 New Zealand high school students (12-18 years) were asked the time (in minutes) it would take them to walk from their home to the nearest physical activity resource, and whether they had used it in the previous month. The distance from participants' homes to the nearest resource was measured using GIS. Physical activity was assessed with accelerometers.


RESULTS
Agreement was poor, with weighted Kappa Indices ranging from 0.1 to 0.4. The facilities used most frequently were schools (90%), public parks (76%), and playing fields (74%). Closer location was associated with higher use of some facilities only. Moderate-to-vigorous activity levels were not associated with self-reported or measured distance.


CONCLUSIONS
Agreement between perceived and measured access is poor among adolescents. Further research is needed to understand how individual and social factors interact with environmental factors and whether improving awareness improves use.
Maddison
Ralph
R
Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Jiang
Yannan
Y
Vander Hoorn
Steve
S
Ni Mhurchu
Cliona
C
Exeter
Daniel
D
Utter
Jennifer
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004777:Environment; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009520:New Zealand; D010465:Perception; D011998:Recreation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires