The Environment Can Explain Differences in Adolescents’ Daily Physical Activity Levels Living in a Deprived Urban Area: Cross-Sectional Study Using Accelerometry, GPS, and Focus Groups

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that many contemporary urban environments do not support healthy lifestyle choices and are implicated in the obesity pandemic. Middlesbrough, in the northeast of England is one such environment and a prime target for investigation. Methods: To measure physical activity (PA) levels in a sample of 28 adolescents (aged 11 to 14 years) and describe the environmental context of their activity and explore where they are most and least active over a 7-day period, accelerometry and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology were used. Twenty-five of these participants also took part in focus groups about their experiences and perceptions of PA engagement. Results: Findings indicated that all participants were relatively inactive throughout the observed period although bouts of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were identified in 4 contexts: school, home, street, and rural/urban green spaces, with MVPA levels highest in the school setting. Providing access to local facilities and services (such as leisure centers) is not in itself sufficient to engage adolescents in MVPA. Conclusion: Factors influencing engagement in MVPA were identified within and across contexts, including 'time' as both a facilitator and barrier, perceptions of 'gendered' PA, and the social influences of peer groups and family members.

Examen rapide des études spatialisées traitant des lieux d’activité physique et de sédentarité des enfants et des adultes

“…Les enfants qui se rendaient à l'école à pied étaient plus nom breux à vivre près de l'école que ceux qui utilisaient des modes de transport passifs 26 . D'autres études ont identifié les rues ou routes comme des facteurs contribuant de façon importante à l'APMV chez les enfants 35 , en grande partie en raison de leur utilisa tion dans le cadre du transport actif pour aller à l'école et revenir à la maison 39 .…”

“…Des données solides indiquent que le milieu scolaire est l'un des principaux lieux de pratique de l'ensemble de l'APMV 23,27,30,35,39,42 chez les enfants. Plus précisément, la cour d'école semble contribuer grandement à l'APMV en milieu scolaire, surtout chez les garçons 27,42 .…”

“…Bien que l'importance de ces comporte ments liés à la santé soit largement recon nue, la majorité des enfants et des adultes ne respectent pas les lignes directrices actuelles en matière d'AP et consacrent la majeure partie de leurs journées à des comportements sédentaires 35 . De plus, les niveaux d'AP diminuent avec l'âge, et on observe souvent des différences entre les sexes liées à la pratique d'une AP 6,7 .…”

The social context moderates the relationship between neighborhood safety and adolescents' activities

“…A number of studies have focused on the associations between neighborhood characteristics, including parent perceived safety, and youths' physical activity (Burdette and Whitaker, 2004, Burdette and Whitaker, 2005, D'Haese et al, 2014, Galvez et al, 2013, Holt et al, 2009, Maddock, 2004; H. J. Moore et al, 2014, Morland and Evenson, 2009, Simmons et al, 2005, Weimann et al, 2015). Findings from this literature are mixed, with some studies showing relationships between neighborhood characteristics and youths' engagement in physically active leisure activities, and others finding no or equivocal associations (e.g., Saelens and Handy, 2008).…”

“Spatial Energetics”

“…12–16 These technologies allow researchers to ask what types of activities at certain times, in specific locations, for various types of people matter for health outcomes. These data can be used, for instance, to test the influence of new infrastructure to affect behavior change 17,18 ; to evaluate characteristics of locations that provide opportunities for physical activity 19,20 ; or to create personalized metrics of air pollution exposure based on location and respiratory rate. 21 …”