-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To test the pathways between perceptions of built environment factors and physical activity in urban youth.
Three hundred fifty high school students' perceptions of neighborhood, and barrier self efficacy were measured by a Web survey. Physical activities were assessed using a one-week diary and accelerometers.
Land-use mix/accessibility and neighborhood satisfaction had direct pathways to walking. Barrier self-efficacy had a direct pathway to walking. In addition, land use, specifically neighborhood accessibility, influenced adolescents' walking behavior via self-efficacy. Similar pathways were found in MVPA models.
Neighborhood factors appear to work together with self-efficacy to facilitate physical activity.
American journal of health behavior 11/2011; 35(6):674-88. · 1.31 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recreational facility availability has been shown to associate positively with youth physical activity levels. Nonetheless, little is known about additional facility characteristics affecting their use for physical activity as well as differences between private and public facilities. This study examines (1) perceptions and use of public and private recreational facilities and (2) environmental and individual-level correlates of both facility use and physical activity among urban adolescents. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometry, objective measures of facility availability were obtained using Geographical Information Systems data, and facility use and perceptions were measured with a survey (N = 327). Adolescents were more likely to use public than private facilities despite perceiving that private facilities were of higher quality. Adolescents' use of both public and private facilities was associated with perceived (but not objective) availability, perceived quality, and use by friends and family. Public, but not private, facility use was associated with physical activity. This study reveals the importance of public facilities to the physical activity of urban youth.
Journal of Community Health 01/2011; 36(4):640-9. · 1.28 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Walking to and from school contributes to total physical activity levels. This study investigated whether perceived and actual neighborhood features were associated with walking to or from school among adolescent girls.
A sample of geographically diverse eighth-grade girls (N = 890) from the Trial of Activity in Adolescent Girls (TAAG) study living within 1.5 miles of their middle school was recruited. Participants completed a self-administered survey on their neighborhood and walking behavior. Geographic information system data were used to assess objective neighborhood features. Nested multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the contribution of perceived and objective measures of walking to or from school.
Fifty-six percent (n = 500) of the girls walked to or from school for at least 1 d in a week. White (42%) girls walked more frequently than Hispanic (25%) and African American (21%) girls. Girls were nearly twice as likely to walk to or from school if they perceived their neighborhoods as safe and perceived that they had places they liked to walk, controlling for other potential confounders. In addition, girls who lived closer to school, had more active destinations in their neighborhood, and had smaller-sized blocks were more likely to walk to or from school than those who did not.
Safety, land use, and school location issues need to be considered together when designing interventions to increase walking to and from school.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise 12/2009; 42(7):1253-60. · 3.71 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Socioeconomic status (SES) has well known associations with a variety of health conditions and behaviors in adults but is unknown in adolescents.
Multilevel analysis was conducted to examine the associations between individual and neighborhood-level measures of SES and physical activity and body mass index in a sample of 1554 6th grade girls selected at random from 36 middle schools across 6 geographic regions in the United States that participated in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG). Data on parental education and employment, and receipt of subsidized school lunch were collected by questionnaire. Neighborhood-level SES was measured by the Townsend Index. Nonschool physical activity levels were measured by accelerometer and type, location and context was measured using a 3 day physical activity recall (3DPAR).
After controlling for race, lower parental education and higher levels of social deprivation were associated with higher BMI. In a model with both variables, effects were attenuated and only race remained statistically significant. None of the indices of SES were related to accelerometer measured physical activity. Bivariate associations with self-reported Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) location and type (3DPAR) varied by SES.
Among adolescent girls in the TAAG Study, the prevalence of overweight is high and inversely related to individual and neighborhood SES.
Journal of physical activity & health 11/2009; 6(6):731-40. · 1.95 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although several studies have identified a positive association between recreational facility availability and physical activity, few have examined facility attributes beyond availability and involved minority adolescents. This study examines how both objective and perceived measures of the facility environment are associated with urban adolescents' use of parks and physical activity.
Study participants included 329 adolescents from two high schools in Baltimore, Maryland, the majority (69%) of whom was African American. A Web-based survey assessed park use, neighborhood crime, and park availability, quality, and use by friends and family. Geographical Information Systems data were used to develop objective measures of park availability and crime. Physical activity data were obtained from 316 participants using accelerometers. Hypotheses regarding environmental correlates of park use and physical activity were tested using logistic regression models (for park use) and linear regression models (for physical activity).
Perceptions of greater park availability, quality, and use by friends were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of an adolescents' park use. Perceptions of more park availability was associated with higher levels of physical activity, although this association was marginally significant. Objective measures of park availability and objective and subjective measures of crime were not associated with either park use or physical activity.
Efforts to promote park use for physical activity among urban youth should increase awareness of park availability, improve perceptions of park quality, and utilize social networks.
Journal of Adolescent Health 09/2009; 45(3 Suppl):S64-70. · 3.33 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of perceived physical neighborhood factors with physical activity, sedentary behavior, and BMI among adolescent girls.
Sixth grade girls (n = 1554) completed a questionnaire on neighborhood factors (e.g., safety, esthetics, access to physical activity resources). The dependent variables included non-school metabolic equivalent weighted moderate to vigorous physical activity (MW-MVPA) and non-school sedentary behavior, both measured using accelerometry, and BMI.
The following neighborhood factors were associated with lower BMI: seeing walkers and bikers on neighborhood streets, not having a lot of crime in the neighborhood, seeing other children playing outdoors, having bicycle or walking trails in the neighborhood, and access to physical activity facilities. The absolute contribution for the average girl for each of these neighborhood factors was relatively small, with none of these factors exceeding 0.8 kg/m(2) BMI units. The following neighborhood factors were associated with higher MW-MVPA: having well-lit streets at night, having a lot of traffic in the neighborhood, having bicycle or walking trails in the neighborhood, and access to physical activity facilities. Girls with > or = 9 places to go for physical activity had 14.0% higher non-school MW-MVPA than girls with < or = 4 places.
This study identified several neighborhood factors associated with non-school MW-MVPA and BMI, but none of the factors explored were associated with non-school sedentary behavior. Of all of the neighborhood factors we examined, reporting more physically active destinations contributed the largest absolute amount to the average girl's non-school MW-MVPA, according to this cross-sectional study.
Obesity 03/2007; 15(2):430-45. · 4.28 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We examined the association between various dimensions of the family environment, including family intimacy and involvement in activities, family support for physical activity, and neighborhood violence (perceived and objective) and physical activity among urban, predominantly African American, ninth-grade girls in Baltimore, Md. Greater family intimacy (P = .05) and support (P = .01), but not neighborhood violence, was associated with physical activity. Family factors, including family intimacy and support, are potential targets in physical activity interventions for urban high-school girls.
American Journal of Public Health 02/2007; 97(1):101-3. · 3.93 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Potential barriers to activity participation were surveyed among adolescent girls and corroborated with other reported information.
Among 2379 black and white girls enrolled in the NHLBI Growth and Health Study since ages 9 or 10 yr, those reporting weekly activity frequency as "sometimes" or "rarely" were surveyed for three consecutive years from ages 16 or 17 yr. Barriers to activity were assessed using a 10-item questionnaire. Responses were cross-examined with other reported information. Race-specific longitudinal regression examined the impact of barrier scores on activity levels and also potential factors having an impact on barrier scores.
Approximately half of the cohort was screened as "sedentary" with a trend toward an increasing proportion with age. Lack of time was cited by 60% of sedentary girls as the leading barrier to activity participation for all 3 yr. Other frequently cited barriers to activity included "I'm too tired" and "They don't interest me." No differences were seen in hours at work or in household chores between those who cited lack of time and those who did not. Barrier score was a significant predictor of habitual activity scores. For both races, body mass index and "would rather do other things than exercise" were significant predictors of barriers, but work, parental education, TV watching, and childbirth were not significant.
Self-reported barriers to activity participation among sedentary girls were shown to be primarily internal and uncorrelated with other corresponding external factors.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 04/2006; 38(3):534-40. · 4.43 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Preliminary evidence suggests that the physical environment and transportation are associated with youth physical activity levels. Only a few studies have examined the association of physical environmental factors on walking and bicycling to school. Therefore, the purpose of this study was (1) to examine the test-retest reliability of a survey designed for youth to assess perceptions of physical environmental factors (e.g. safety, aesthetics, facilities near the home) and transportation, and (2) to describe the associations of these perceptions with both physical activity and active transport to school.
Test and retest surveys, administered a median of 12 days later, were conducted with 480 sixth- and eighth-grade girls in or near six U.S. communities. The instrument consisted of 24 questions on safety and aesthetics of the perceived environment and transportation and related facilities. Additionally, girls were asked if they were aware of 14 different recreational facilities offering structured and unstructured activities, and if so, whether they would visit these facilities and the ease with which they could access them. Test-retest reliability was determined using kappa coefficients, overall and separately by grade. Associations with physical activity and active transport to school were examined using mixed model logistic regression (n = 610), adjusting for grade, race/ethnicity, and site.
Item-specific reliabilities for questions assessing perceived safety and aesthetics of the neighborhood ranged from 0.31 to 0.52. Reliabilities of items assessing awareness of and interest in going to the 14 recreational facilities ranged from 0.47 to 0.64. Reliabilities of items assessing transportation ranged from 0.34 to 0.58. Some items on girls' perceptions of perceived safety, aesthetics of the environment, facilities, and transportation were important correlates of physical activity and, in some cases, active transport to school.
This study provides some psychometric support for the use of the questionnaire on physical environmental factors and transportation for studying physical activity and active transport to school among adolescent girls. Further work can continue to improve reliability of these self-report items and examine their association of these factors with objectively measured physical activity.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 02/2006; 3:28. · 3.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Rising obesity and declining physical activity levels are of great concern because of the associated health risks. Many children are left unsupervised after the school day ends, but little is known about the association between unsupervised time and physical activity levels. This paper seeks to determine whether adolescent girls who are without adult supervision after school are more or less active than their peers who have a caregiver at home.
A random sample of girls from 36 middle schools at 6 field sites across the U.S. was selected during the fall of the 2002-2003 school year to participate in the baseline measurement activities of the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG). Information was collected using six-day objectively measured physical activity, self-reported physical activity using a three-day recall, and socioeconomic and psychosocial measures. Complete information was available for 1422 out of a total of 1596 respondents.Categorical variables were analyzed using chi square and continuous variables were analyzed by t-tests. The four categories of time alone were compared using a mixed linear model controlling for clustering effects by study center.
Girls who spent more time after school (> or = 2 hours per day, > or = 2 days per week) without adult supervision were more active than those with adult supervision (p = 0.01). Girls alone for > or = 2 hours after school, > or = 2 days a week, on average accrue 7.55 minutes more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day than do girls who are supervised (95% confidence interval ([C.I]). These results adjusted for ethnicity, parent's education, participation in the free/reduced lunch program, neighborhood resources, or available transportation. Unsupervised girls (n = 279) did less homework (53.1% vs. 63.3%), spent less time riding in a car or bus (48.0% vs. 56.6%), talked on the phone more (35.5% vs. 21.1%), and watched more television (59.9% vs. 52.6%) than supervised girls (n = 569). However, unsupervised girls also were more likely to be dancing (14.0% vs. 9.3%) and listening to music (20.8% vs. 12.0%) (p < .05).
Girls in an unsupervised environment engaged in fewer structured activities and did not immediately do their homework, but they were more likely to be physically active than supervised girls. These results may have implications for parents, school, and community agencies as to how to structure activities in order to encourage teenage girls to be more physically active.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 01/2006; 3:20. · 3.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Self-efficacy theory proposes that girls who have confidence in their capability to be physically active will perceive fewer barriers to physical activity or be less influenced by them, be more likely to pursue perceived benefits of being physically active, and be more likely to enjoy physical activity. Self-efficacy is theorized also to influence physical activity through self-management strategies (e.g., thoughts, goals, plans, and acts) that support physical activity, but this idea has not been empirically tested.
Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factorial validity of a measure of self-management strategies for physical activity. Next, the construct validity of the measure was tested by examining whether self-management strategies mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and self-reported physical activity, independently of several social-cognitive variables (i.e., perceived barriers, outcome expectancy value, and enjoyment), among cross-sectional samples of 6th grade (n=309) and 8th grade (n=296) girls tested between February 14 and March 17, 2002. Data were analyzed in 2004.
Consistent with theory, self-efficacy had direct effects on the social-cognitive variables. The primary novel finding is that self-management strategies mediated the association of self-efficacy with physical activity in both samples.
The measure of self-management strategies for physical activity yields valid scores among adolescent girls and warrants experimental study as a mediator of the influence of efficacy beliefs on physical activity.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 08/2005; 29(1):10-8. · 4.04 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: African-American women are at risk of chronic diseases for which regular physical activity can provide benefits. This group, however, remains predominantly sedentary. Little research has been undertaken to elucidate the multiple factors that influence their physical activity levels. This study was designed to determine associations among personal, social environmental, and physical environmental factors with physical activity level in urban African-American women.
The Women and Physical Activity Survey, an interviewer-administered survey consisting of demographic, personal, and social and physical environmental factors, was given to 234 African-American women living in Baltimore, Maryland. Physical activity level was determined from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Women were divided into three groups: meeting current recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity, insufficiently active, and inactive. Comparisons were made between the group of women that met recommendations versus women who did not, and women who reported any activity versus women who were inactive.
Twenty-one percent (48) of women met recommendations for physical activity, 61% (143) were insufficiently active, and 18% (43) were inactive. Women who had a partner or who had no children were less likely to engage in some physical activity. Inactive women were more likely than women who participated in some physical activity to know people who exercised. Women who belonged to community groups were more likely to be inactive than women who met current recommendations for physical activity. Women with fewer social roles were more likely to meet current recommendations. Physical environment factors were not associated with physical activity level.
Further exploration is needed to determine how personal and social environmental and physical environmental factors relate to physical activity in African-American women.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 11/2003; 25(3 Suppl 1):38-44. · 4.04 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Nationwide, Hispanic women report low levels of physical activity and bear excess health risk associated with inactivity. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and sociodemographic, social environmental, and physical environmental factors.
A cross-sectional, community-based convenience sample of 285 Hispanic/Latino women completed a face-to-face survey administered in Spanish.
The following categories of physical activity were used in analyses: "meets current national recommendations," which includes women who reported engaging in moderate activity at least 5 days per week for at least 30 minutes or who engaged in vigorous activity at least 3 days per week for at least 20 minutes; "insufficiently active" for women not meeting moderate or vigorous objectives; and "inactive" for women who report no moderate or vigorous physical activity.
The majority of women (46%) were aged 20 to 29 years, 48% have less than or equal to a high school education, 72% are employed, 43% speak Spanish, and 76% are from Central or South America. A total of 37% of the women met physical activity recommendations, 23% were inactive, and 40% were insufficiently active. Personal and physical environmental factors were not statistically significant correlates of activity level comparison groups; however, most indicated trends in the hypothesized direction. Social environmental factors that showed statistically significant relationships with various physical activity comparison groups included the following: Women were significantly less likely to be active if they reported knowing people who exercise (odds ratio [OR]=0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.76), reported that there are people in the neighborhood who exercise (adjusted OR=0.19; 95% CI, 0.09-0.42), belonged to community groups (OR=0.32; 95% CI, 0.15-0.69), or attended religious services (OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72).
Social environmental factors appeared to be the most important factors related to physical activity in this group of Latino women. Physical environment and personal factors, although not statistically significant, showed trends in expected directions and should be explored further.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 11/2003; 25(3 Suppl 1):61-8. · 4.04 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Smoking is highly prevalent in young women and little is known about early multilevel independent risk or protective factors that are predictive of daily smoking in young women.
Multiple logistic regression was conducted on data from NGHS, a 10-year cohort study of Black (1,213) and White (1,166) girls recruited from three clinical centers in the United States, ages 9-10 years on entry to ages 18-19.
Compared with never smokers, White girls were at higher risk than Black girls of being daily smokers at ages 18-19. Early predictors of daily smoking at ages 18-19 years included lower parental education, one parent in the household, drinking alcohol at ages 11-12, higher drive for thinness at ages 11-12, lower behavioral conduct at ages 11-12, and lower stress at ages 10-11 and higher stress at ages 12-13. For both Black and White girls weight-related variables were significant. Stress, behavioral conduct, and one-parent household were also important predictors for White girls.
There is evidence that childhood and adolescent factors are related to young adult smoking behavior. Body weight concerns as well as family, social environment, and behavioral factors are important issues in determining which girls will become daily smokers.
Preventive Medicine 07/2002; 34(6):616-24. · 3.22 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purposes of this study were to describe the types and availability of commercial facilities for physical activity (PA) in six diverse geographic areas (Washington DC and Maryland; South Carolina; Minnesota; Louisiana; Arizona; and California) and to assess the relationship between those facilities and the non-school PA of adolescent girls.
A total of 1556 6th grade girls participating in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) wore accelerometers for 7 days providing 6 days of complete data, completed questionnaires in 2003 and had their residential addresses geocoded. Nearby commercial facilities available to provide PA (i.e. dance studios, youth organizations) within a 1-mile radius of participants' residences were identified and geocoded. The association between the presence of any commercial PA facility and girls' PA was determined using a multi-level design and controlling for demographic characteristics and other potential confounders. Analyses were conducted in 2005-2006.
Sixty-eight percent of the girls had at least one commercial PA facility near their homes. Availability and types of commercial PA facilities differed by where participants lived. Girls who lived near one or more commercial PA facilities had higher non-school MET-weighted moderate-to-vigorous PA than girls who had none near their homes.
The findings suggest that commercial PA facilities are important contributors to the accumulation of PA among adolescent girls.
Preventive Medicine 45(2-3):163-8. · 3.22 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To test an original scale assessing perceived school climate for girls' physical activity in middle school girls.
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM).
CFA retained 5 of 14 original items. A model with 2 correlated factors, perceptions about teachers' and boys' behaviors, respectively, fit the data well in both sixth and eighth graders. SEM detected a positive, significant direct association of the teacher factor, but not the boy factor, with girls' self-reported physical activity.
School climate for girls' physical activity is a measurable construct, and preliminary evidence suggests a relationship with physical activity.
American journal of health behavior 29(3):250-7. · 1.31 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To study the relationship between peer-related physical activity (PA) social networks and the PA of adolescent girls.
Cross-sectional, convenience sample of adolescent girls. Mixed-model linear regression analyses to identify significant correlates of self-reported PA while accounting for correlation of girls in the same school.
Younger girls were more active than older girls. Most activity-related peer social network items were related to PA levels. More PA with friends was significantly related to self-reported PA in multivariate analyses.
Frequency of PA with friends was an important correlate of PA among the peer network variables for adolescent girls.
American journal of health behavior 29(2):183-90. · 1.31 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To examine African American adolescents' perceptions of environmental influences on physical activity and identify physical activity promotion strategies.
Concept mapping with 50 adolescents was used to obtain cluster maps of conceptual domains affecting physical activity.
Seven domains were identified, including physical activity settings, social support, negative social influences, parental control, negative environmental influences, transportation and technology issues, and financial issues. Their relative importance to physical activity varied by gender.
This research identified salient environmental characteristics that can be measured in future studies as well as strategies for increasing physical activity in urban youths.
American journal of health behavior 32(1):26-39. · 1.31 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Identify demographic, social, and environmental factors associated with smoking initiation in a large, racially and ethnically diverse sample of underage youth participating in the 2006 Maryland Youth Tobacco Survey.
Cross-sectional, multistage, probability sample survey.
Schools (308 middle and high schools) in Maryland.
Subjects were 12- to 17-year-old adolescents participating in a school-based survey. New smokers and nonsmokers were included in the analysis (n  =  57,072).
Social and media influence, secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco product use, and demographic information including age, race/ethnicity, and geographic region.
Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for clustering.
Hispanic and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth were most likely and Asian and Black youth were least likely to be new smokers. Smoking initiation was positively associated with higher age, living with a current smoker, secondhand smoke exposure, exposure to advertisements for tobacco products, having more friends that smoke, tobacco products offered by friends, risk perceptions, and use of other tobacco products such as smokeless tobacco and cigars. Multivariate logistic regression results suggested that composite measures of peer influence, advertising exposure, and secondhand smoke exposure were independently associated with smoking initiation.
Media, peer influence, and secondhand smoke exposure were the most important factors influencing smoking initiation and were common to all racial/ethnic groups in this study. Interventions combining targeted public awareness, education, and media campaigns directed at parents/guardians should be investigated.
American journal of health promotion: AJHP 25(3):e1-11. · 2.37 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Investigate environmental factors influencing the use of recreational facilities for physical activity by urban African-American adolescents.
Qualitative in-depth interviews and direct observation.
Two public high schools and 24 public recreational facilities in Baltimore, Maryland.
Forty-eight African-American adolescents aged 14 to 18 years.
Data from 48 in-depth interviews and 26 observations were coded using NVivo software and analyzed using the constant comparative method.
Facility use is influenced by characteristics of the physical, social, organizational, and economic environments. Adolescents are attracted to low-cost, well-maintained facilities that offer preferred activities and that are within close proximity to home. Adolescents with limited access to facilities use alternative play spaces, like the streets or vacant lots, where they risk injury from falling or being hit by a car. They are drawn to facilities where they find active adolescents, and they avoid those where young people are engaged in drug or gang activity. Concerns about facility safety largely determine use, particularly for adolescent girls.
Previous research points to the importance of increasing facility availability as a means of promoting physical activity, particularly in minority communities in which availability is disproportionately limited. This study shows that, while availability is important, additional facility characteristics should be considered when using environmental change to promote facility use for physical activity.
American journal of health promotion: AJHP 23(1):43-50. · 2.37 Impact Factor
