Physical activity and active transport are predicted by adolescents' different built environment perceptions

Aim: Recent studies suggest that increasing rates of obesity and other chronic health conditions may be linked to characteristics of the built environment that reduce opportunities for daily activity. The aim of this study is to analyze the associations between the perceptions of the built environment with physical activity (PA) and active transport in adolescents. Subject and methods Participants were 538 adolescents (288 girls) aged 16.56±1.27 years old, from Porto, Portugal. Physical activity (PA) and perceptions of environmental characteristics were assessed by self-report questionnaires in 2009. Results: Logistic regression analyses showed a significant association between boys (OR 4.85, 95% CI: 1.149-10.94) and girl's (OR 2.63, 1.55-4.40) PA and the presence of sports equipment at home. "Interesting things to look at while walking" was also associated with higher levels of PA, but only in boys (OR 3.54, 1.149-10.94). In girls, active transport was predicted by the perception of safety to walk or jog (OR 3.88, 1.36-11.07) and streets well lit at night (OR 2.93, 1.44-5.96). Conclusion Our study identified several associations of active behaviorswith the physical environment that may contribute to the development of environmental interventions and policies regarding the community design and health promotion. © Springer-Verlag 2011.