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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Perceived neighborhood safety related to physical activity but not recreational screen-based sedentary behavior in adolescents

Authors: Clare M. Lenhart, Andrew Wiemken, Alexandra Hanlon, Mackenzie Perkett, Freda Patterson

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

A growing proportion of adolescents have poor cardiovascular health behaviors, including low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior, thus increasing the likelihood of poor heart health in later years. This study tested the hypothesis that low perceived neighborhood safety would be associated with low levels of physical activity and high levels of recreational sedentary behavior in high-school students.

Methods

Using cross-sectional, weighted data from the 2015 Pennsylvania (USA) State and Philadelphia city Youth Risk Behavior Survey, multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to examine the association between perceived neighborhood safety, and physical activity levels and recreational screen-based sedentary behavior time respectively, while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

After adjustment for other significant correlates of physical activity, students with low perceived neighborhood safety had a 21% reduced odds of being physically active on 5 or more days of the last week as compared to those who felt safe (p = 0.044). Perceived safety was not related to sedentary behavior; but sports team participation emerged as a strong correlate of low screen-based sedentary behavior (OR = 0.73, p = .002).

Conclusion

These data add to a growing body of work demonstrating the importance of perceived safety with physical activity levels in youth. Sports team participation may be a viable target to reduce screen-based sedentary time.
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Metadata
Title
Perceived neighborhood safety related to physical activity but not recreational screen-based sedentary behavior in adolescents
Authors
Clare M. Lenhart
Andrew Wiemken
Alexandra Hanlon
Mackenzie Perkett
Freda Patterson
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4756-z

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