Association of the built environment with physical activity and adiposity in rural and urban youth.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if: (1) differences exist for body mass index (BMI) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between rural and urban youth, and (2) perceived and objective measures of environmental supports for physical activity differentially correlate with BMI and MVPA in middle school rural and urban youth.

Method

Cross-sectional analyses were performed in spring 2012 on data collected from December 2008 until May 2010 for 284 middle school youth from a rural county and an adjacent urbanized area. Multivariable linear models estimated associations between BMI/MVPA and perceived environmental barriers/supports for physical activity and objectively measured neighborhood spatial variables.

Results

Mean MVPA was significantly lower for rural youth (15.9

SUBMITTER: Moore JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4761410 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature