What neighborhood area captures built environment features related to adolescent physical activity?
In research investigating built environment (BE) influences on physical activity (PA), inconsistent neighborhood definitions may contribute to inconsistent findings. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Wave I; 1994-95), we compared associations between moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) and PA facility counts and street connectivity measures (intersection density and link:node ratio) within 1, 3, 5, and 8.05 km of each respondent's residence (Euclidean neighborhood buffers). BE-MVPA associations varied by BE characteristic, urbanicity, and sex. PA facilities within 3 km buffers and intersection density within 1 km buffers exhibited the most consistent associations with MVPA. Policy recommendations and corresponding research should address potential differences in relevant neighborhood areas across environment feature and population subgroup.
Boone-Heinonen
Janne
J
Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-3997, USA.
Popkin
Barry M
BM
Song
Yan
Y
Gordon-Larsen
Penny
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014481:United States