Physical Surroundings Affect Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls

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Article Summary

Physical Surroundings Affect Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls

March 2012
Author:
Daniel A. Rodríguez
Topic:
Transportation, Roads and Streets, Parks & Recreation, Parks, Schools, School Location, Communities, Zoning and Mixed Land Use, Healthy Food Access
Population Served:
School-age Youth (K-12)
Location by State:
California, Minnesota
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Summary:

The Challenge: Although physical activity improves health and reduces risk of obesity, only between 10 and 20 percent of U.S. adolescents meet current guidelines for physical activity. Adolescent girls in particular do not get enough physical activity.

Make an impact: Modifying the built environments where children live, attend school, and play may be a promising strategy to increase their physical activity.

What the findings are about: This study examined how the physical activity levels of adolescent girls in San Diego and Minneapolis were affected by their physical surroundings.

Key Findings and Recommendations:
  • Girls’ physical activity levels were higher when they were in areas with high population density, and when they spent time near schools or parks.
  • Girls’ levels of physical activity were lower when they spent time around food outlets.
  • Physical activity levels decreased as girls got older. Activity levels were also lower during weekends than weekdays.

 

Read the full article: Out and About: Association of the Built Environment with Physical Activity Behaviors of Adolescent Females

Suggested Citations:
Rodríguez, D.A., Cho, G., Evenson, K.R., Conway, T.L., Cohen, D., Ghosh-Dastidar, B., Pickrel, J.L., Veblen-Mortenson, S., Lytle, L.A. (2012). Out and About: Association of the Built Environment with Physical Activity Behaviors of Adolescent Females. Health & Place, 18(1), 55-62.
 

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