title: Neighborhood and family perceived environments associated with children's physical activity and body mass index.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing body of research has been examining neighborhood environment related to children's physical activity and obesity. However, there is still not enough evidence from Latin America.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association of neighborhood and family perceived environments, use of and distance to public open spaces with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and body mass index (BMI) in Argentinean school-aged children.
  
  
  METHODS
  School-based, cross-sectional study with 1777 children (9 to 11years) and their parents, in Cordoba city during 2011. Children were asked about LTPA and family perceived environment. Parents were asked about neighborhood perceived environment, children's use of public open spaces and distance. Weight and height were measured for BMI. We modeled children's LTPA and BMI z-score with structural equation models with latent variables for built, social and safety neighborhood environments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents' perceived neighborhood environment was not related with children's LTPA and BMI. Children's perceived autonomy and family environment were positively associated with LTPA. Use of unstructured open spaces and, indirectly, the distance to these, was associated with LTPA among girls. Greater distance to parks reduced their use by children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Policies to increase children's LTPA should include access to better public open spaces, increasing options for activity. A family approach should be incorporated, reinforcing its role for healthy development.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, IECS, CONICET, Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires, Argentina (C1414CPV). Electronic address: julietalavin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julieta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lavin Fueyo
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP-01246-904. Electronic address: leandromtg@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Leandro Martin
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Totaro Garcia
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, National University of Cordoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo Gomez-Ciudad Universitaria, Cordoba, Argentina, 5000. Electronic address: vero_mamondi@yahoo.com.ar.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mamondi
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP-01246-904. Electronic address: gizelton@usp.br.
authors.forename: Gizelton
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pereira Alencar
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP-01246-904. Electronic address: aflorind@usp.br.
authors.forename: Alex Antonio
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Florindo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research in Health Sciences, INICSA, CONICET, National University of Cordoba, Argentina; School of Public Health, National University of Cordoba, Argentina; Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo Gomez, Ciudad Universitaria, Cordoba, Argentina, 5000. Electronic address: sberra@fcm.unc.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Silvina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berra
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: BMI; Built environment; Children; Health behaviors; Neighborhood; Physical activity; Social environment