BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that many contemporary urban environments do not support healthy lifestyle choices and are implicated in the obesity pandemic. Middlesbrough, in the northeast of England is one such environment and a prime target for investigation. METHODS: To measure physical activity (PA) levels in a sample of 28 adolescents (aged 11 to 14 years) and describe the environmental context of their activity and explore where they are most and least active over a 7-day period, accelerometry and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology were used. Twenty-five of these participants also took part in focus groups about their experiences and perceptions of PA engagement. RESULTS: Findings indicated that all participants were relatively inactive throughout the observed period although bouts of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were identified in 4 contexts: school, home, street, and rural/urban green spaces, with MVPA levels highest in the school setting. Providing access to local facilities and services (such as leisure centers) is not in itself sufficient to engage adolescents in MVPA. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing engagement in MVPA were identified within and across contexts, including 'time' as both a facilitator and barrier, perceptions of 'gendered' PA, and the social influences of peer groups and family members.
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that many contemporary urban environments do not support healthy lifestyle choices and are implicated in the obesity pandemic. Middlesbrough, in the northeast of England is one such environment and a prime target for investigation. METHODS: To measure physical activity (PA) levels in a sample of 28 adolescents (aged 11 to 14 years) and describe the environmental context of their activity and explore where they are most and least active over a 7-day period, accelerometry and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology were used. Twenty-five of these participants also took part in focus groups about their experiences and perceptions of PA engagement. RESULTS: Findings indicated that all participants were relatively inactive throughout the observed period although bouts of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were identified in 4 contexts: school, home, street, and rural/urban green spaces, with MVPA levels highest in the school setting. Providing access to local facilities and services (such as leisure centers) is not in itself sufficient to engage adolescents in MVPA. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing engagement in MVPA were identified within and across contexts, including 'time' as both a facilitator and barrier, perceptions of 'gendered' PA, and the social influences of peer groups and family members.
Authors: Stefania Toselli; Laura Bragonzoni; Laura Dallolio; Grigoletto Alessia; Alice Masini; Sofia Marini; Giuseppe Barone; Erika Pinelli; Raffaele Zinno; Mario Mauro; Gerardo Astorino; Pietro Loro Pilone; Simona Galli; Pasqualino Maietta Latessa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Peter James; Marta Jankowska; Christine Marx; Jaime E Hart; David Berrigan; Jacqueline Kerr; Philip M Hurvitz; J Aaron Hipp; Francine Laden Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-08-12 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Michelle C Kondo; Jaime M Fluehr; Thomas McKeon; Charles C Branas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-03-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Anne Kelso; Anne K Reimers; Karim Abu-Omar; Kathrin Wunsch; Claudia Niessner; Hagen Wäsche; Yolanda Demetriou Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Adam Loveday; Lauren B Sherar; James P Sanders; Paul W Sanderson; Dale W Esliger Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-08-05 Impact factor: 5.428