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- Title
A Community Survey on Neighborhood Violence, Park Use, and Physical Activity Among Urban Youth.
- Authors
Echeverria, Sandra E.; Luan Kang, Amiee; Isasi, Carmen R.; Johnson-Dias, Janice; Pacquiao, Dula
- Abstract
Background: Neighborhoods can be an important feature of the built environment influencing physical activity; however, neighborhood poverty and violence may pose significant barriers for youth physical activity. We conducted a community survey of 107 households with youth 3-12 years of age in select neighborhoods of the city of Newark, New Jersey, a highly impoverished and racially/ethnically segregated city of the United States. Results: The majority of sampled households did not have access to a park, and nearly 60% of youth were not engaged in a team or organized physical activity program. Hearing gunshots and seeing drug deals in the neighborhood were reported by 74% and 56%, respectively, of study participants. In adjusted regression models, a 1-unit increase in self-reported neighborhood safety was associated with perceptions that parks were safe for youth to use (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.3, 2.3) and increased odds of youth using parks (OR = 1.3, CI = 1.0, 1.6). Self-reported neighborhood violence was marginally associated with lower levels of Metabolic Equivalent (MET)-min/week of moderate PA (β = -54.25, P = .05). Conclusion: To ensure national goals of increased physical activity and use of outdoor spaces, addressing the neighborhood contexts under which the most vulnerable of our youth live will be required.
- Subjects
SOCIAL surveys; COMMUNITY safety; PARK use; PHYSICAL activity; URBAN youth; BUILT environment; POOR teenagers; OBESITY
- Publication
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2014, Vol 11, Issue 1, p186
- ISSN
1543-3080
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1123/jpah.2012-0023