Built environment and physical activity in New Zealand adolescents: a protocol for a cross-sectional study

Hinckson, EA; Duncan, Scott; Oliver, Melody; Mavoa, Suzanne; Cerin, Ester; Badland, Hannah; Ivory, Vivienne; McPhee, Julia; Schofield, Grant

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004475

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 104 publications

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“…Twenty eight adolescent participants (13 – 18 years) were recruited from an Auckland high school as a subsample of participants in the Built Environment and Adolescent New Zealanders (BEANZ) study – a cross-sectional study exploring the links between the built environment and health in New Zealand adolescents. The BEANZ recruitment procedures are described in detail elsewhere [ 33 ]. Briefly, New Zealand meshblock (smallest census tract unit) walkability indices were calculated for all eligible participants based on their residential addresses, which were obtained from the school’s database prior to the consent process.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel assessment of adolescent mobility: a pilot study

Duncan

Chaix

Kestens

et al. 2015

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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BackgroundThe accurate measurement of daily mobility and travel to destinations beyond the residential neighbourhood has been identified as an important but almost systematically overlooked factor when investigating the relationship between exposure to the built environment and physical activity. The recent development of VERITAS – a web-based application nested within a computer-assisted personal interview – allows researchers to assess daily mobility, travel to regular destinations, and perceived neighbourhood boundaries using interactive mapping technology. The aims of this pilot study were to (1) demonstrate the feasibility and functionality of using VERITAS in an adolescent sample, and (2) compare urban form characteristics and geometric features of the perceived neighbourhood with traditional neighbourhood delimitations.MethodsData were collected and analysed for twenty-eight participants (14 male, 15.9 ± 1.48 years) in 2013. Participants underwent anthropometric assessment before completing a custom-designed VERITAS protocol under the supervision of trained interview technicians. Regularly visited destinations, school travel routes, transportation modes, travel companions, and perceived neighbourhood boundaries were assessed. Data were imported into ArcGIS and street network distances between the home and each geolocated destination were generated. Convex hull activity spaces were derived from destinations. Urban form variables and geometric characteristics were compared between the perceived neighbourhood, existing meshblocks, 1 mile Euclidean buffers, and 1 km network buffers.ResultsIn total, 529 destinations were geolocated, 58% of which were outside the perceived neighbourhood boundary. Active travel was inversely associated with distance to destinations (r = −.43, p < .05) and traveling with adults (r = −.68, p < .01). Urban form and geometric characteristics of the perceived neighbourhood were different from those in other neighbourhood delimitations.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using VERITAS to assess mobility within adolescent populations. Our results also illustrate the potential novelty and use of user-defined spaces, and highlight the limitations of relying on restricted definitions of place (i.e., administrative or residential-focused neighbourhoods) when assessing environmental exposure.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel assessment of adolescent mobility: a pilot study

Duncan

Chaix

Kestens

et al. 2015

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

Self Cite

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“…Although there has been a strong movement to publish study protocols within the sociobehavioral sciences before or during data collection [1,2], particularly for trials [3] and more recently larger scale observational work [4], there is very little published material that attempts to describe how the specific protocol was implemented, the hitherto unidentified challenges encountered, and lessons learned. This reflective process is commonplace in the stages of trial/intervention work where a high degree of testing is usually built in during the design, using the lessons learned to refine the intervention [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Unanticipated Challenges Associated With Implementing an Observational Study Protocol in a Large-Scale Physical Activity and Global Positioning System Data Collection (Preprint)

McCrorie¹,

Walker²,

Ellaway³

2017

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Large-scale primary data collections are complex, costly, and time-consuming. Study protocols for trial-based research are now commonplace, with a growing number of similar pieces of work being published on observational research. However, useful additions to the literature base are publications that describe the issues and challenges faced while conducting observational studies. These can provide researchers with insightful knowledge that can inform funding proposals or project development work. OBJECTIVES In this study, we identify and reflectively discuss the unforeseen or often unpublished issues associated with organizing and implementing a large-scale objectively measured physical activity and global positioning system (GPS) data collection. METHODS The SPACES (Studying Physical Activity in Children’s Environments across Scotland) study was designed to collect objectively measured physical activity and GPS data from 10- to 11-year-old children across Scotland, using a postal delivery method. The 3 main phases of the project (recruitment, delivery of project materials, and data collection and processing) are described within a 2-stage framework: (1) intended design and (2) implementation of the intended design. RESULTS Unanticipated challenges arose, which influenced the data collection process; these encompass four main impact categories: (1) cost, budget, and funding; (2) project timeline; (3) participation and engagement; and (4) data challenges. The main unforeseen issues that impacted our timeline included the informed consent process for children under the age of 18 years; the use of, and coordination with, the postal service to deliver study information and equipment; and the variability associated with when participants began data collection and the time taken to send devices and consent forms back (1-12 months). Unanticipated budgetary issues included the identification of some study materials (AC power adapter) not fitting through letterboxes, as well as the employment of fieldworkers to increase recruitment and the return of consent forms. Finally, we encountered data issues when processing physical activity and GPS data that had been initiated across daylight saving time. CONCLUSIONS We present learning points and recommendations that may benefit future studies of similar methodology in their early stages of development.

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“…Built environment provides support to ensure youth leads healthy active lifestyle through the provision of recreational parks or open spaces (Brisbon et al, 2005;Goldfield, et al, 2007;Hinckson et al, 2014;. Past studies indicate the associations between the built environment and physical activity behaviours, which in turn impact health outcomes (Lee et al, 2008;Rao et al, 2010;Roof & Oleru, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Determining Youth’s Recreational Behaviour and its Effects on Body Mass Index (BMI)

Zulkia

Zainol

Zainol³

et al. 2014

JSCP

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Youth require recreational activities to enhance their physical and mental health. This study seeks to identify the determinants of youth's recreational behaviour and effects to their body mass index by built environmental factors. A pilot study was carried out to determine the physical activity, the sedentary behaviour, accessibility and safety of recreational park, and its association with youth body weight index. Respondents comprise of 30 youth aged between 15 to 16 years, randomly selected from a few secondary schools in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ). Body mass index (BMI) on the other hand, was computed by measuring the height and weight of the respondents. Accessibility and safety of recreational park were also assessed. The findings reveal that almost half of the respondents have a normal BMI, while 33.3% were severely thin and 20.0% were overweight and obese. For physical activity, most of the respondents stated that they play futsal on both weekday (60.0%) and weekend (46.7%). For sedentary behaviour, watching television is the best choice for respondents to spend their leisure time, about 100.0% on weekday and 86.7% on weekend. There is a modest relationship between BMI and youth who play futsal. Two factors were identified as the reasons for not going to the park which are lack of playing facilities and perception of safety and crime. This study demonstrates the need of youth to be healthy and physically active by playing sport at the park as their recreational activities. Support in terms of proximity of the parks from their home and the provision of sufficient facilities influence youth's recreational activities.

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Built environment and physical activity in New Zealand adolescents: a protocol for a cross-sectional study

Cited by 25 publications

References 104 publications

A novel assessment of adolescent mobility: a pilot study

A novel assessment of adolescent mobility: a pilot study

The Unanticipated Challenges Associated With Implementing an Observational Study Protocol in a Large-Scale Physical Activity and Global Positioning System Data Collection (Preprint)

Factors Determining Youth’s Recreational Behaviour and its Effects on Body Mass Index (BMI)

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