Perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity among high school students from Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Objective: To analyze the association between perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity (PA) in high school students from Curitiba (PR), Brazil. Methods: A sample of 1,611 high school students from public schools was surveyed. The PA was assessed through questions, engaged for at least 20 minutes or 60 minutes. Perceptions on neighborhood environment were assessed through ten questions about neighborhood characteristics. Gender, age and number of cars in the household were self-reported and used as confounding variables. Absolute and relative frequencies were used in the sample, and associations were tested through adjusted logistic regressions for the confounding variables and stratified by gender (p < 0.05). Results: The adjusted analyses showed that the variables "interesting things" among girls (OR = 1.77; 95%CI 1.05 -2.96) and "there are places I like" (OR = 2.18; 95%CI 1.33 -3.58) and "I see people my age", among boys, were associated with PA of at least 20 minutes/day once a week. Additionally, among boys, "I see people my age" was associated with 60-minute (OR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.15 -2.45). Perceiving the neighborhood environment as "very good" was associated with higher chances of taking up PA among girls (OR = 1.92; 95%CI 1.15 -3.22) and boys (OR = 3.13;. Conclusion: A positive perception of the environment was associated to PA practice among boys and girls in this sample. The results suggest that some environmental characteristics which make neighborhoods more attractive could be related to PA among adolescents.

Physical (in)activity, and its predictors, among Brazilian adolescents: a multilevel analysis

“…It is well knowing that physical activity is influenced by socio-environmental aspects [ 17 ], such as crime rates and individual perception of safety [ 18 ]. For example, Lopes et al [ 19 ] reported that a positive perception about the neighbourhood (perception of safety, neighbourhood aesthetics, and an attractive environment) was associated with higher involvement in physical activity by youth, despite of differences in this perception were observed, which may explain differences in physical activity levels between sex. Further, Janssen [ 20 ] studying a large sample of adolescents, concluded that both, perception of safety and crime rate, were related to youth physical activity outside school, where decreasing the perception of safety and/or increasing the neighbourhood crime, leads to decreasing of physical activity.…”

Deslocamento ativo em adolescentes: prevalência e preditores associados ao trajeto casa-escola

“…Concomitantemente, estudos prévios têm reportado a existência de uma relação entre AF e percepção do ambiente físico com o sexo, demonstrando que para os meninos as características do ambiente isolado (existência de calçadas e ciclovias) são fatores associados à AF global, o que não ocorre no sexo feminino 26 . Além disso, estudos relatam que a preocupação com a segurança pessoal e no trânsito, bem como a existência de locais disponíveis para prática do deslocamento ativo (passarelas, calçadas e ciclovias) e a distância casa-escola, são fatores importantes para a adoção de comportamentos ativos 10 .…”

Overweight and Obese Adolescent Girls: The Importance of Promoting Sensible Eating and Activity Behaviors from the Start of the Adolescent Period

“…As neighborhood environment can also encourage or discourage physical activity this may be a target area to passively encourage greater physical activity of resident adolescents. Access to safe environments with interesting places and things that adolescent girls like has been correlated with increased physical activity levels [ 121 ]. Targeting lower income areas that have fewer parks and facilities for redevelopment investment may assist in providing a safer and more enjoyable environment for adolescent girls.…”