Research Interests:
BACKGROUND: Associations between access to environments and levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents have been established; however the influence of neighborhood design barriers (e.g., major roads) on these relationships is less... more
BACKGROUND: Associations between access to environments and levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents have been established; however the influence of neighborhood design barriers (e.g., major roads) on these relationships is less understood. METHODS: In 2006, adolescents (n=1304) in rural Western Australia completed the Up4it Physical Activity Survey measuring frequency and duration of organised and non-organised physical activity by season. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to objectively measure distance to nearest park and beach and busy road barriers en route to these destinations. RESULTS: Proximity to parks and beaches was associated with use of these environments for PA among adolescents, but this relationship attenuated after adjustment for presence of a major road. Park and beach use was positively associated with achieving recommended levels of PA. Paradoxically, proximity to these environments was not associated with achieving recommended levels of P...
Research Interests:
Associations between access to environments and levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents have been established; however the influence of neighborhood design barriers (eg, major roads) on these relationships is less understood.... more
Associations between access to environments and levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents have been established; however the influence of neighborhood design barriers (eg, major roads) on these relationships is less understood. In 2006, adolescents (n = 1304) in rural Western Australia completed the Up4it Physical Activity Survey measuring frequency and duration of organized and nonorganized physical activity by season. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to objectively measure distance to nearest park and beach and busy road barriers en route to these destinations. Proximity to parks and beaches was associated with use of these environments for PA among adolescents, but this relationship attenuated after adjustment for presence of a major road. Park and beach use was positively associated with achieving recommended levels of PA. Paradoxically, proximity to these environments was not associated with achieving recommended levels of PA. Results suggest access to pa...
