The Safety of the Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity in Czech and Polish Adolescents

Global Physical Activity, Active Commuting to School, and Sedentary Behavior Among Latin American Adolescents: Global School-Based Student Health Survey and the National School Health Survey

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the overall prevalence, stratified by sex and age group of global physical activity (GPA), active commuting to school (ACS), and sedentary behavior (SB) among adolescents from ten Latin American countries, and to assess the correlation of Development Index with the indicators.

METHODS

This research is grounded on data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (2009-2015) and the 2015 Brazilian National School Health Survey. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals for GPA (≥5 d/wk), ACS (≥1 d/wk), and SB (>2 h/d) were calculated using the chi-square test to compare the sexes (male; female) and age group (≤13 y; 14 y; 15 y; ≥16 y). We also performed Pearson correlation analysis with the Human Development Index.

RESULTS

The prevalence of indicators ranged from 16.1% to 28.2% for GPA, from 56.7% to 71.2% for ACS, and from 20.7% to 62.6% for SB. Boys generally had a higher prevalence of GPA and ACS, and girls had a higher prevalence of SB. The prevalence of the indicators by age group varied between countries, with significant differences observed in some, depending on each indicator. A positive correlation was observed between Human Development Index, GPA, and SB.

CONCLUSION

Health promotion policies must include guidelines that encourage and promote a more active and less sedentary lifestyle among young people in Latin America, considering specific groups, the local socioeconomic context, and differences between countries.

Where Are Czech Adolescents Active? The Patterns of Movement and Transport Behavior in Different Active Living Domains

To understand the environmental determinants of physical activity (PA), precise spatial localization is crucial. This cross-sectional study focuses on the spatiotemporal distribution of PA among Czech adolescents (n = 171) using Global Positioning System loggers and accelerometers. The results showed that adolescents spent most of their time in sedentary behavior, with 57.2% and 58.5% of monitored time at home and school, respectively. The park and playground had the lowest proportion of sedentary behavior but also the lowest amount of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). However, when considering the time spent in each domain, the highest proportion of MVPA was seen in publicly accessible playgrounds (13.3% of the time). Chi-square analysis showed that the relative distribution of different PA intensities did not differ across spatial domains. Based on these results, the authors propose 2 key strategies for increasing MVPA in adolescents: Increase the time spent in activity-supportive environments, such as parks and playgrounds, and design techniques to increase MVPA at home and school settings.

Visualization analysis of research progress for walkability

The study of walkability is of great significance to the construction of healthy cities. In this paper, taking 1283 articles of walkability, which were included in Web of Science, as the research object. This paper adopts to analysis the research progress by using the method of scientometrics and knowledge networks analysis. Objectively and systematically analyze the research progress of walkability abroad from the aspects of publication overview, knowledge foundation, research direction and hot spots, etc. It is found that foreign researches on walkability mainly include three core directions: walkability and physical activity, walkability evaluation, walkability and urban design. Among them, walkability and physical activity orientation have been studied from various perspectives, such as various groups, various environmental types, different behavioral patterns and various chronic diseases. With the increasingly prominent urbanization problems and the rapid development of new technologies, multiple data, new methods and interdisciplinary cooperation will actively promote the vigorous development of walking suitability research.

Which physical and social characteristics of Brazilian cities contribute to physical activity of adolescents?

This study aimed to analyze the association between adolescents' physical activity and the Brazilian capitals' built and social environment. The units of analysis of this ecological study were the 26 capitals and the Federal District, with data from the National Adolescent Health Survey (2012). The outcome variable was the reported regular physical activity (PA) of ninth graders in Brazilian schools. Exposure variables included characteristics of the natural environment, socioeconomic and educational indicators, urban infrastructure, urban violence, and sociocultural factors retrieved from several secondary sources of Brazilian databases. We adopted multiple linear regression to verify the association between PA and exposure variables. The percentage of active adolescents was 33.0% (95%CI: 32.1; 33.9). In the final model, higher PA was associated with lower temperature, higher Primary Education Development Index, the higher percentage of ramps for wheelchair users, and a higher percentage of leisure-time active adults. The data show that climatic and educational factors, the infrastructure, and the social environment of the capitals can contribute to Brazilian adolescents complying with the recommended weekly PA levels.

Subjective and objective indicators of neighbourhood safety and physical activity among UK adolescents

BACKGROUND

The health benefits of regular physical activity in adolescence are well-documented and many health-related behaviours are established in adolescence. The neighbourhood environment is a key setting for physical activity for adolescents and feeling unsafe in their neighbourhood may be a potential barrier to physical activity.

AIM

This study aimed to examine associations between neighbourhood safety and physical activity using objective and subjective measures for both.

METHODS

Participants (n = 10,913) came from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative UK longitudinal birth cohort. Linear regression and Zero Inflated Poisson models were used to examine associations between subjective and objective indicators of safety (self-reported safety, Index of Multiple Deprivation crime, Reported Crime Incidence) and physical activity (self-reported weekly and device-measured physical activity).

RESULTS

Adolescents who feel unsafe in their neighbourhood, or who live in areas with high IMD crime or violent crime rates report 0.29 (95% CI -0.49, -0.09) 0.32 (95% CI -0.47, -0.16) and 0.20 (95% CI -0.39, -0.20) fewer days of physical activity, respectively. No associations were found between Reported Crime Incidence and either objective or subjective measures of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates varying associations between subjective safety and objective crime with physical activity levels in adolescence, highlighting the complexities around subjective and objective measurements and their associations with health outcomes.

The Impact of Distance Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Well-Being of Czech and Polish Adolescents

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify the changes in the structure of weekly physical activity (PA) and well-being among adolescent boys and girls between habitual education (HE) and distance education (DE) during the pandemic in secondary schools.

METHODS

The research was carried out in 12 Czech and 18 Polish schools during 2019 to 2020 academic session for HE and 2020 to 2021 academic session for DE. The research involved 723 girls and 626 boys aged 15 to 18 years. The structure of the weekly PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form, while well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant decrease of PA among boys in school PA, transportation PA, recreation PA, vigorous PA, moderate PA, walking, and overall weekly PA during the DE resulting from the pandemic. In girls, during DE, a decrease was observed in school PA, vigorous PA, and overall PA. During DE, a high level of well-being was reported by only 34.9% of girls (43.8% during HE) and 50% of boys (65.6% during HE).

CONCLUSIONS

The observed low PA and high incidence of depressive symptoms in adolescents in distance education during pandemic constraints are a challenge for schools to change in supporting physical activity, eliminating similar negative impacts on school life in the future.

Perception of the Neighborhood Environment, Physical Activity by Domain and Sitting Time in Brazilian Adults

This study aimed to examine the association between the neighborhood environment and domain-specific physical activity and sitting time in Brazilian adults. This cross-sectional study included 1803 adults (53.7% women) from Brazil's five regions (North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and South). The perception of the environment was evaluated via a questionnaire. We considered seven indicators of the neighborhood environment: land use mix-diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic and safety from crime. Using the IPAQ, we evaluated physical activity (transport and leisure) and sitting time. Overall, land use mix-diversity (β = 3.22; 95% CI = 0.26, 6.19), land use mix-access (β = 2.27; 95% CI = 0.76, 3.79), and walking/cycling facilities (β = 2.42; 95% CI = 0.35, 4.49) were positively associated with leisure-time physical activity (min/week). On the other hand, only land use mix-diversity (β = 3.65; 95% CI = 0.63, 5.49) was positively associated with transport physical activity (min/week). No neighborhood environment indicator was associated with sitting time (min/day). Perception of the neighborhood environment was associated with physical activity (transport and leisure), while no significant associations occurred with sitting time among the five regions of Brazil. The neighborhood environment can be a viable component in the promotion of physical activity, but geographic diversity must be considered.

Association of built environment constructs and physical activity among children and adolescents in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to synthesize the association between built environment constructs and physical activity among children and adolescents in Africa.

INTRODUCTION

Previous reviews have found that several built environment constructs, such as residential density, crime safety, and availability of physical activity facilities and infrastructure, are associated with physical activity in children and adolescents; however, these reviews have tended to focus on non-African countries. Therefore, this systematic review synthesized the association between the built environment and physical activity among children and adolescents in Africa.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This systematic review included comparative observational studies that assessed the relationship between built environmental constructs and physical activity among children and adolescents (between the ages of 5 and 19 years) in Africa.

METHODS

Comprehensive electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, EThOS, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses from inception to October 22, 2021, were conducted to identify relevant published and unpublished studies. Two reviewers independently screened papers, assessed the quality of the included studies using the JBI standard critical appraisal tool, and extracted data using a pre-piloted form. Where possible, data were synthesized using random effects meta-analyses, with effect sizes reported as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of the findings.

RESULTS

Of the 10,706 identified records, six cross-sectional studies were included, which comprised 4628 children and adolescents. Three of the studies had a high-quality score of 7 or 8 out of 8. Seven built environment constructs were reported within the included studies, namely, residential density, street connectivity, crime safety, availability of physical activity facilities and infrastructure, walkability, esthetics, and traffic safety. Three of the constructs were assessed with objective measures. Results from individual studies found significant associations between physical activity and objective measure of traffic safety (MD 2.63 minutes per day; 95% CI 0.16 to 5.1; one study) and an objective measure of crime safety (MD 2.72 minutes per day; 95% CI 0.07 to 5.37; one study). No significant associations were found between active transportation and any of the built environment constructs. The GRADE evidence for all of the assessed constructs was either low (the built environment constructs may lead to little or no difference in physical activity or active transportation) or very low (it was uncertain whether the built environment constructs affect physical activity).

CONCLUSION

In African settings, the evidence base for the association between built environment constructs and physical activity is limited, with no consistent evidence of an association. Therefore, further high-quality studies should be conducted before firm conclusions can be drawn.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42019133324.

Time Trends of Step-Determined Physical Activity Among Adolescents With Different Activity Levels in Czech Republic

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to present step-determined physical activity trends in adolescents with different activity levels over a period of 10 years.

METHODS

Pedometers were used to monitor weekly physical activity in 1855 boys and 2648 girls aged 15-19 years recruited from 155 schools in the Czech Republic between 2009 and 2018. Trends for average steps/day and percent of accumulating various levels of steps/day (<10,000, 10,000-13,000, and >13,000 steps/d) were analyzed by sex.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant decrease in average steps/day between 2009-2010 and 2017-2018 in boys from 12,355 (3936) steps/d to 10,054 (3730) steps/d and girls from 11,501 (3278) steps/d to 10,216 (3288) steps/d. The percent accumulating <10,000 steps/d increased by 21% in boys and 12% in girls. The percent achieving >13,000 steps/d decreased by 17% in boys and 10% in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Objectively collected evidence indicates an overall decrease in Czech adolescents' steps/day over a 10-year period concurrent with an increase in the percent of boys and girls accumulating <10,000 steps/d. These trends are concerning as they portend a decline in physical activity as adolescents transition to adulthood and continue to age, which also may have major health implications.

The influence of specialization and the level of physical activism on leisure options for students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

Leisure activities, their dynamics in ontogenesis and the way of managing the time allocated to them are a topic that is frequently researched. Purpose: to investigate students' attitudes, aiming at aspects related to forms of leisure, depending on specialization and level of physical activism, by applying a questionnaire. Material and method: The research took place in the academic year 2019-2020, on a number of 180 students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports in Galați. The differences for the pairs of independent specialty variables (PES / physical education and sport and PT / physical therapy), respectively physical activity (HLPA / high level of physical activity, and LLPA / low level of physical activity were analyzed, by applying the techniques of MANOVA and ANOVA calculation. Results: Multivariate analysis indicates significant effects of the physical activity variable on the items of the questionnaire for leisure budget factors, preferred leisure activities, leisure sports activities, and for the specialty variable significant effects are determined only at leisure sports activities, so the level of physical activism will generate more differences between the opinions expressed compared to the specialization of students. Univariate test results indicate significant F values (P <0.05) for a number of items, with weaker values, dominant for PT and LLPA groups. Sports activities and socializing on the internet (defining variant of young people) are at the top, so they do not exclude each other. Conclusion: the students from the PES and HLPA groups stand out through a better organization of free time, high satisfaction of its capitalization, a greater involvement in the variants of active leisure and superior socialization, and those from the PT and LLPA groups allocate more time to watching on TV and using the internet. Keywords: physical activism, specialization, questionnaire, active and passive leisure options, opinions

The Relationship between Extensive Application of Technology and “Withdrawal from Nature” of Young People

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between the extensive application of technology and young people’s “withdrawal from nature”. Among them, “withdrawal from nature” is mainly manifested in a reduced connection with and concern for nature. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 101 young people from China. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the interview data and resulted in three main themes: the “compensation”, “shifting” and “shielding” effects of technology. More specifically, the application of technology can partially make up for nature’s reduced role in the growth of young people, shift their concerns for ecological problems, and even affect their perception and evaluation of ecological destruction. Thus, it was proved that the application of technology has an impact on young people’s “withdrawal from nature”. This study supplemented the current research on the factors that influence young people’s “withdrawal from nature” and also provided inspiration for better establishing the connection between young people and nature.

Team sports, running, walking: activity-specific associations with perceived environmental factors in adolescents

This study aimed to analyze the association between the practice of different types of physical activity (PA) with perceived environmental factors in boys and girls adolescents. Were evaluated 1,130 adolescents from Porto Alegre, Brazil. To evaluate different PA, students answered whether or not they practiced walking, running, team sports, and others general PA. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Analyses were performed using logistic regression. Adolescents who reported perceiving a distance up to 20 minutes to walking/running track, had their chances of practicing all types of PA increased in the total sample and for girls. For walking, it was also found an association with access in adolescents. For girls, it was found an association between shortest distance to indoor recreation or exercise facility and other playing fields/court with running and team sports. Aesthetics and road safety were associated with team sports in adolescents. Other general PA were associated with park, bike/hiking/walking trails in the total sample and for girls. Therefore, for each type of PA, specific associations of perceived environmental factors were found.

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Forms of Leisure for the Students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

The study investigates the influences of gender, area of origin and age stage variables and also of the interaction between them, on the free time behavior of the students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports from Galati. The questionnaire applied in the academic year 2019–2020 had 85 items and was structured on 4 factors: leisure budget, leisure limiting factors, preferred leisure activities, and leisure sports activities. The multivariate/MANOVA analysis showed statistically significant data for some of the analyzed items, with values of F associated with thresholds p < 0.05. The results support longer screen time for urban areas and for those <25 years and time limitation for the favorite activities of students >25 years, while reading had higher stress scores for men and students <25 years. Men tended to limit their free time working overtime and women limited their free time due to housework. Students from rural areas and men >25 years were more stressed by socializing on the internet and shopping. Financial limitations for preferred activities were higher for women and students <25 years—women read more and visited their friends more often while men had higher scores in relation to involvement in physical activities throughout the week, an aspect also reported for those <25 years. Students >25 years spent more time with their family, while those <25 years socialized more on the internet and had better scores when going out with friends. Those in urban areas did more jogging, men had better scores in relation to playing sports games, higher indicators for the satisfaction generated by sports activity, and women preferred jogging and cycling/rollerblading. Sports games and different types of fitness were the most common variants practiced at the level of the studied group. Conclusion: There was no dominant orientation of the investigated group towards forms of passive leisure and there were no cases of sedentariness, even if the use of technologies (video games, socializing on the Internet and TV) were forms of leisure often used by students.

Psychosocial Characteristics, Perceived Neighborhood Environment, and Physical Activity Among Chinese Adolescents

This study examined the independent associations between psychosocial factors, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and physical activity (PA) in Chinese adolescents. A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample was conducted in fall 2019 at a high school in Wuhan, China. Sociodemographic data, body weight, height, psychosocial factors, perceptions of neighborhood environment, and PA were collected using questionnaires. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed in 4 steps, where step 1 included demographic covariates, step 2 added psychosocial factors into the model, step 3 added perceived neighborhood environmental factors, and step 4 added interaction terms between significant psychosocial and environmental factors. A total of 4027 adolescents were included in analysis. The results of the third model indicated that friends' support (b = 4.58), friends' norms (b = 7.16), barriers to PA (b = -10.19), autonomous motivation (b = 4.75), self-efficacy (b = 8.86), the presence of shops/stores nearby (b = 5.79), and the availability of PA resources (b = 6.02) were significant predictors (P < .05) of moderate to vigorous PA. None of the interaction terms were significant in the fourth model. Our results suggest that interventions targeting the PA of Chinese adolescents should take into account the attitudes toward PA, perceived barriers to PA, controlled motivation, perceptions of neighborhood PA resource availability, and perceived neighborhood safety to maximize effectiveness.

Does Vigorous Physical Activity Contribute to Adolescent Life Satisfaction?

Background: Physical and mental health are the basis of life satisfaction (LS), even during adolescence. The aim of this study was to identify the associations between LS and types of physical activity (PA) in Czech and Polish boys and girls. Methods: The research involved 933 girls and 663 boys aged 15–19 years. LS was diagnosed using the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-LF) questionnaire was used to identify the types of weekly PA. Results: Adolescents with the highest LS had more recreational, moderate, vigorous, and total weekly PA. The strongest associations between LS and PA were in the Czech and Polish boys and girls who participated in vigorous PA (VPA). The recommendations for VPA were fulfilled by 45% of Czech and 46% of Polish boys and 40% of Czech and 50% of Polish girls, with the highest LS. The most significant positive moderator between LS and PA was participation in organized PA. Boys with the highest LS were 1.94 times more likely to meet the weekly recommendation of VPA than boys with the lowest LS. Similarly, girls with the highest LS were 1.77 times more likely to meet these recommendations. Conclusions: Promoting both current subjective well-being and organized PA, with an emphasis on achieving the VPA recommendations, may support general LS and a healthy lifestyle in adolescents.

The Association between Participation in Organized Physical Activity and the Structure of Weekly Physical Activity in Polish Adolescents

The main aim of the study was to determine the associations of participation in organized physical activity (OPA), and the structure of weekly physical activity (PA) with meeting the PA recommendations among Polish boys and girls. The research was conducted between 2012 and 2019 in the Silesian region of Poland among 3499 secondary school students. To determine the structure of PA (school, transportation, home, recreation, vigorous moderate, and walking), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF) questionnaire was used. Adolescents participating in OPA showed significantly more PA (p < 0.001) than non-participating adolescents. The strongest associations were observed between participation in OPA and vigorous PA. The weekly recommendation of vigorous PA was met by 61% of the students with three or more lessons of OPA per week, 29% of students with one or two lessons of OPA per week, and 24% of students not participating in OPA. Therefore, boys and girls with no OPA are at greatest risk of health issues. Schools, sports clubs, and leisure institutions should increase the participation of adolescents in OPA, especially non-participants. Comprehensive school PA programs should especially include those forms of OPA that respect health weaknesses, individual talents for specific types of PA, and preferred types of PA among adolescents.

Adolescents' Physical Activity in Education Systems Varying in the Number of Weekly Physical Education Lessons

Purpose: School physical activity (SPA) is a significant component of daily PA. We investigated differences in PA between boys and girls in two differing education systems-Poland and the Czech Republic-which have four and two physical education lessons (PELs) per week, respectively. Method: This project was conducted from 2012-2016 at 17 Polish and 23 Czech secondary schools (N = 921; mean age = 16.2 ± 0.7 years). ActiTrainer accelerometers were used to monitor participants' PA and heart rate during school days. Weekly PA was measured using pedometers. Subjective levels of weekly PA were self-reported on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form. Results: The Polish education system enabled adolescents to meet the recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous PA more likely than did the Czech system. SPA also represented a higher portion of daily PA in the Polish (vs. Czech system); however, the differences in total daily step count between Polish and Czech adolescents were non-significant. SPA accounted for 30-37% of the daily PA (as measured by step count) of Polish girls (23-30% of Czech girls) and 28-39% of Polish boys (25-37% of Czech boys). Conclusions: Participation in PELs was associated with a higher rate of meeting SPA recommendations in both countries. Compared with the Czech Republic, more PELs in the Polish education system was associated with increased daily vigorous PA and a greater portion of SPA in daily PA. Differences in overall daily and weekly moderate-to-vigorous PA between Polish and Czech adolescents were non-significant.

Is the perceived neighborhood built environment associated with domain-specific physical activity in Latin American adults? An eight-country observational study

Background

Characteristics of the neighborhood built environment are associated with physical activity (PA). However, few studies with representative samples have examined environmental correlates of domain-specific PA in Latin America. We examined the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with domain-specific PA in a large sample of adults from eight Latin American countries.

Methods

This study examined data from 8185 adults (aged 18–65 years) from eight Latin American countries. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey - Abbreviated (NEWS-A) scale was used to assess perceptions of land use mix–diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic, and safety from crime. Perceived proximity from home to public open spaces (metropolitan parks, playgrounds, public squares) and to shopping centers was also measured. Transport-related and leisure-time PA were assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Both logistic and linear regression models were estimated on pooled data.

Results

Perceptions of higher land use mix-access (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22,1.61), the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.12; 1.04,1.20), slow speed of traffic (1.19; 1.03,1.35) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.09; 1.03,1.15) were associated with greater odds of reporting at least 10 min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher levels of land use mix-diversity, better aesthetics and greater safety from crime, the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and greater proximity of shopping centers were associated with more min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity (1.12; 1.05,1.20), higher land use mix-access (1.27; 1.13,1.43), more walking/cycling facilities (1.18; 1.09,1.28), and better aesthetics (1.10; 1.02,1.18) were associated with greater odds of engaging in at least 10 min/week of leisure-time PA versus none. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity were associated with more min/week of leisure PA.

Conclusions

Different perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with domain-specific PA among adults from Latin America countries. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of the neighbourhood built environment might influence initiation or maintenance of domain-specific PA.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials. Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Physical Activity of Secondary School Adolescents at Risk of Depressive Symptoms

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to analyze the associations between depressive symptoms (DS), well-being and different types of physical activity (PA) in adolescents.

METHODS

Overall, 368 girls and 228 boys aged 15-19 years were involved in the research. To explore the composition of weekly PA, we used the IPAQ-Long questionnaire, and a pedometer was used to monitor weekly PA. The prevalence of DS was diagnosed by the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.

RESULTS

The girls and boys who reported the most DS and the lowest level of well-being had significantly less weekly recreational PA. The girls who reported the fewest DS had a 2.12 times greater odds of meeting the 11,000 steps/day recommendation than did the girls with the most DS, whereas we did not detect statistically significant differences in rates of meeting the recommendation in the boys with distinct levels of DS.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirms the stronger negative associations between DS and PA, especially among girls. The greatest opportunities for behavioral change in adolescents at the highest risk of DS are in the promotion of recreational PA.

Association of Built Environment with Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Men and Women Living inside the City Wall of Xi'an, China

This study was to investigate the association of built environment (BE) with physical activity (PA) and physical fitness of residents inside the city wall of Xi'an, one of the most historic cities in China. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 728 adults in this area. BE and PA were measured by Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, blood pressure (BP), lung capacity, curl up, sit and reach, reaction time, balance, and grip strength were also measured. The results showed, for men, aesthetics was positively associated with total and leisure-time PA, and curl-up tests, respectively. Walking/cycling facilities were positively associated with leisure-time PA. Street connectivity was negatively associated with leisure-time PA and BMI. Residential density was positively correlated with BMI. Access to service was positively associated with lung capacity. Crime safety was negatively correlated with reaction time. For women, residential density was negatively associated with transportation PA and BP. Street connectivity was positively associated with curl-up test. The results suggest some BE attributes are positively related to PA and physical fitness in this population. Creating more PA-supportive BEs is recommended in this historic area along with urban conservation.

Secular Trends in the Achievement of Physical Activity Guidelines: Indicator of Sustainability of Healthy Lifestyle in Czech Adolescents

(1) Background: The increasing socio-economic and educational demands on adolescents should be reflected in their lifestyles accordingly. The aim of the study was therefore to identify the trends in the achievement of physical activity (PA) guidelines by Czech adolescents through objective and subjective PA monitoring. (2) Methods: The research was carried out between 2010 and 2017 and involved 49 secondary schools, 2 higher vocational schools, and 8 universities in the Czech Republic. In total, the projects involved 1129 girls and 779 boys. PA monitoring was performed by Yamax SW-700 pedometers and IPAQ-long questionnaires. (3) Results: The results according to the average number of steps/day confirm a decrease in the amount of PA in boys and girls and in the achievement of the recommended 11,000 steps/day. However, the estimates of meeting the recommended weekly PA expressed as MET-min/week based on the IPAQ-long questionnaire are not so convincing about the decrease. (4) Conclusions: The combination of objective monitoring of weekly PA using wearables and subjective estimates of weekly PA using a questionnaire regarding the ease of application, appears to be a sufficient indicator of the status of and trend in PA and thus the sustainability of a healthy lifestyle in youths.

Neighborhood environmental factors associated with leisure walking in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To verify the associations of leisure walking with perceived and objective measures of neighborhood environmental factors stratified by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) in Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,130 high school students (47.3% girls; aged 14 to 20 years old) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Leisure walking and SES were self-reported by the adolescents. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Objective measures were evaluated using Geographic Information Systems, with road network calculated around the adolescent’s residential address, using 0.5km and 1.0km buffers. Data collection was carried out in 2017 and generalized linear regression models were used.

RESULTS

Leisure walking was positively associated with access to services (0.5 km buffers [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.22] 1.0 km buffers [OR = 2.17]) and lower distance to parks and squares (0.5 km [OR=2.80] 1.0 km [OR = 2.73]) in girls from low SES. Residential density (0.5 km [OR = 1.57] 1.0 km [OR = 1.54]) and walkability index (0.5 km [OR = 1.17] 1.0 km [OR = 1.20]) were associated with leisure walking in girls from middle SES. Boys from low SES showed an inverse association between crime safety and leisure walking (0.5 km [OR = 0.59] 1.0 km [OR = 0.63]). Neighborhood recreation facilities was positively associated with leisure walking in middle SES (0.5 km [OR = 1.55] 1.0 km [OR = 1.60]). Land use mix (0.5 km [OR = 1.81] 1.0 km [OR = 1.81]), neighborhood recreation facilities (0.5 km [OR = 2.32] 1.0 km [OR = 2.28]) and places for walking (0.5 km [OR=2.07] 1.0 km [OR=2.22]) were positively associated with leisure walking in high SES.

CONCLUSION

Environmental factors (objectively and subjectively measured) and leisure walking show association in boys and girls of different SES.

Composition of weekly physical activity in adolescents by level of physical activity

Background

Physical activity (PA) in adolescence is crucial for lifelong healthy lifestyle, and attention is needed to adolescents at health risk due to insufficient PA. This study investigates the composition of weekly PA in adolescents by PA level and provides a rationale for change in their lifestyles.

Methods

The research was conducted at 66 schools in Poland between 2009 and 2016, among 949 girls and 650 boys aged 15–18 years. We used pedometers to monitor weekly PA with data assessed using the Indares web app. The participants were split into three groups by mean daily step count (lower, < 9000; middle, 9000–12,999; and higher, ≥ 13,000 steps/day), as a reliable and non-expensive indicator of PA.

Results

We did not observe statistically significant differences in composition of 7-day PA between participants with varying levels of PA, regardless of their gender (F_(12,9558) = 0.60; p = 0.841; η_p² > 0.000). The smallest differences in daily step counts by PA level were found on Mondays and the biggest on Fridays and Saturdays, in boys and girls; the differences between average school and average weekend days were most pronounced in less active girls (1677 steps/day) and boys (1886 steps/day). During the school week, the highest proportion of less active girls met the 11,000 steps/day recommendation on Fridays (21.9%), statistically significantly less than on other school days (p < 0.001). Similarly, less active boys (22.2%) had significantly less activity on Fridays than on other school days, except for Mondays (p = 0.143) Analogous pattern was apparent also in more active adolescents.

Conclusions

Less active adolescents have comparable composition of weekly PA to the more active ones but they can hardly meet the generally accepted PA recommendations. Better understanding of weekly PA composition and rates of meeting PA recommendations by day of the week can lead to more efficient interventions improving lifestyles. The recommendation of 9000 steps/day most days of the week, thus, appears appropriate for less active adolescents, as a motivating achievable goal.

Active Travel of Czech and Polish Adolescents in Relation to Their Well-Being: Support for Physical Activity and Health

The adoption of active travel (AT) habits in adolescence, supported by positive emotions, increases the chances of a lifelong positive attitude towards AT. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between active travel and well-being (WB), and to estimate the share of AT in weekly physical activity (PA) and its contribution to meeting the weekly PA recommendations in adolescents. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form and the WHO-5 questionnaire were used to assess the level of AT, weekly PA and well-being of 2805 adolescents from 36 Czech and 39 Polish schools. A higher rate of AT is only significantly associated with higher well-being in girls. However, meeting AT recommendations in combination with higher WB increased the likelihood of meeting the weekly PA recommendations in both girls and boys. AT accounts for 22.5% of weekly PA of Czech (Polish 24.2%) boys. Concerning girls, it accounts for 24.9% of weekly PA in the Czech Republic and 24.5% in Poland. Meeting AT recommendations should be part of comprehensive school-based PA programs. State, school and municipal policies in the Central European region should pay more attention to the improvement of WB and the built environment for AT in secondary school adolescents.

The linkage between the perception of neighbourhood and physical activity in Guangzhou, China: using street view imagery with deep learning techniques

BACKGROUND

Neighbourhood environment characteristics have been found to be associated with residents' willingness to conduct physical activity (PA). Traditional methods to assess perceived neighbourhood environment characteristics are often subjective, costly, and time-consuming, and can be applied only on a small scale. Recent developments in deep learning algorithms and the recent availability of street view images enable researchers to assess multiple aspects of neighbourhood environment perceptions more efficiently on a large scale. This study aims to examine the relationship between each of six neighbourhood environment perceptual indicators-namely, wealthy, safe, lively, depressing, boring and beautiful-and residents' time spent on PA in Guangzhou, China.

METHODS

A human-machine adversarial scoring system was developed to predict perceptions of neighbourhood environments based on Tencent Street View imagery and deep learning techniques. Image segmentation was conducted using a fully convolutional neural network (FCN-8s) and annotated ADE20k data. A human-machine adversarial scoring system was constructed based on a random forest model and image ratings by 30 volunteers. Multilevel linear regressions were used to examine the association between each of the six indicators and time spent on PA among 808 residents living in 35 neighbourhoods.

RESULTS

Total PA time was positively associated with the scores for "safe" [Coef. = 1.495, SE = 0.558], "lively" [1.635, 0.789] and "beautiful" [1.009, 0.404]. It was negatively associated with the scores for "depressing" [- 1.232, 0.588] and "boring" [- 1.227, 0.603]. No significant linkage was found between total PA time and the "wealthy" score. PA was further categorised into three intensity levels. More neighbourhood perceptual indicators were associated with higher intensity PA. The scores for "safe" and "depressing" were significantly related to all three intensity levels of PA.

CONCLUSIONS

People living in perceived safe, lively and beautiful neighbourhoods were more likely to engage in PA, and people living in perceived boring and depressing neighbourhoods were less likely to engage in PA. Additionally, the relationship between neighbourhood perception and PA varies across different PA intensity levels. A combination of Tencent Street View imagery and deep learning techniques provides an accurate tool to automatically assess neighbourhood environment exposure for Chinese large cities.

Validity of Garmin Vívofit 1 and Garmin Vívofit 3 for School-Based Physical Activity Monitoring

PURPOSE

Activity trackers are useful tools for physical activity promotion in adolescents, but robust validity evaluations have not been done under free-living conditions. This study evaluated the validity of the Garmin Vívofit 1 (G1) and Garmin Vívofit 3 (G3) in different settings and contexts.

METHODS

The participants (girls: 52%, age: 15.9 [1.9] y) wore the G1 and G3 on their nondominant wrist and the Yamax pedometer on their right hip for a period of 1 week. Validity was examined in 4 discrete segments (before school, in school, after school, and whole day). The criterion method was the Yamax pedometer.

RESULTS

Both the G1 and G3 could be considered equivalent to the Yamax pedometer regarding the before school, in school, and whole day segments. The G1 showed wider limits of agreement than G3.

CONCLUSIONS

The G1 and G3 trackers exhibited acceptable validity for 3 of the 4 segments (before school, in school, and whole day measurements). The results were less accurate during the after-school segment. The evidence that the validity of the monitors varied depending on the setting and context is an important consideration for research on adolescent activity patterns.

Profile Resemblance in Health-Related Markers: The Portuguese Sibling Study on Growth, Fitness, Lifestyle, and Health

The co-occurrence of health-related markers and their associations with individual, family, and environmental characteristics have not yet been widely explored in siblings. We aimed to identify multivariate profiles of health-related markers, analyze their associations with biological, sociodemographic, and built environment characteristics, and estimate sibling resemblance in these profiles. The sample includes 736 biological siblings aged 9–20 years. Body fat was measured with a portable bioelectrical impedance scale; biological maturation was assessed with the maturity offset; handgrip strength, standing long jump, one-mile run, and shuttle run were used to mark physical fitness. Health behaviors, sociodemographic, and built environmental characteristics were recorded by questionnaire. Latent profile analysis and multilevel logistic regression models were used; sibling resemblance was estimated with the intraclass correlation (ρ). Two multivariate profiles emerged: “P1 = fit, lower fat and poorer diet” (86.7%) and “P2 = higher fat and lower fit, but better diet” (13.3%). Siblings whose fathers were less qualified in their occupation were more likely to belong to P2 (OR = 1.24, p = 0.04); those whose fathers with Grade 12 and university level education were more likely to fit in P2 compared to peers living with fathers having an educational level below Grade 12 (OR = 3.18, p = 0.03, and OR = 6.40, p = 0.02, Grade 12 and university level, respectively). A moderate sibling profile resemblance was found (0.46 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.55). In conclusion, youth health-related markers present substantial differences linked with their body composition, physical fitness and unhealthy diet. Furthermore, only father socio-demographic characteristics were associated with profile membership. Sibling´s profile resemblance mirrors the effects of genetics and shared characteristics.

Health Disparities in the Relationship of Neighborhood Greenness to Mental Health Outcomes in 249,405 U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries

Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may be important for optimal mental health. The present study examines the association between block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and mental health outcomes, in a population-based sample of 249,405 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA, whose location did not change from 2010 to 2011. Multilevel analyses examined relationships between greenness, as measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and each of two mental health outcomes; Alzheimer's disease and depression, respectively, after statistically adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood income level of the individuals. Higher block-level greenness was linked to better mental health outcomes: There was a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (by 18%) and depression (by 28%) for beneficiaries living in blocks that were 1 SD above the mean for greenness, as compared to blocks that were 1 SD below the mean. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed that higher levels of greenness were associated with even greater mental health benefits in low-income neighborhoods: An increase in greenness from 1 SD below to 1 SD above the mean was associated with 37% lower odds of depression in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 27% and 21% lower odds of depression in medium- and high-income neighborhoods, respectively. Greenness may be effective in promoting mental health in older adults, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, possibly as a result of the increased opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, or stress mitigation.