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Article
Environmental Influences on Physical Activity Levels in Youth
Health & Place
  • 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
3-1-2009
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.

Citation Information
Patricia Tucker, Jennifer D. Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He, et al.. "Environmental Influences on Physical Activity Levels in Youth" Health & Place Vol. 15 Iss. 1 (2009) p. 357 - 363
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/trish_tucker/4/