title: A structural equation model of environmental correlates of adolescent obesity for age and gender groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationships between environmental correlates of adolescent obesity are complex and not yet well defined by current research, especially when considering age and gender.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to test a model of proximal (home) and distal (neighbourhood) environmental correlates of obesity for adolescent age and gender groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, using the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health of 39 542 children ages 11-17 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The model fit the data well for early adolescents (ages 11-14 years) (root mean square standard error of approximation [RMSEA] 0.040, 90% confidence interval [CI]: 0.039-0.041; comparative fit index [CFI] 0.947; Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] 0.929) and middle adolescents (ages 15-17 years) (RMSEA 0.037, 90% CI: 0.036-0.038; CFI 0.052; TLI 0.937). The model also fit the data well for boy adolescents (RMSEA 0.038, 90% CI: 0.037-0.039; CFI 0.951; TLI 0.935) and girl adolescents (RMSEA 0.038, 90% CI: 0.037-0.040; CFI 0.949; TLI 0.932).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All models provide loadings of the environmental correlates of adolescent obesity for specific age and gender groups that can be used for early identification of risks and targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Nesbit
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kolobe
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sisson
authors.affiliation: Ghement Statistical Consulting Company, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Ghement
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Adolescent obesity; age; environment; gender