Environmental Influences on Physical Activity Levels in Youth

Authors

Patricia Tucker, University of Western Ontario
Jennifer D. Irwin, University of Western Ontario
Jason Gilliland, University of Western Ontario
Meizi He, University of Western Ontario - Brescia College
Kristian Larsen, University of Western Ontario
Paul Hess, University of Toronto

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2009

Volume

15

Issue

1

Journal

Health & Place

First Page

357

Last Page

363

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.07.001

Abstract

This study assessed the amount of physical activity engaged in by youth aged 11–13, in relation to: (1) the presence of neighborhood recreational opportunities, objectively measured within a geographic information system; and (2) parents’ perceptions of recreation opportunities in their neighborhoods. Students in grade 7 and 8 (n=811) in 21 elementary schools throughout London, Ontario completed the adapted Previous Day Physical Activity Recall and a questionnaire assessing environmental influences in the home and school neighborhoods. Parents/guardians of participants also completed a questionnaire eliciting demographic information and perceptions of the neighborhood environment. On average, students engaged in 159.9 min/day of physical activity. Both subjective and objective measures of recreational opportunities were associated positively with physical activity (p<0.05). Greater access to recreational opportunities seem essential to facilitate youths’ healthy levels of physical activity.