Do physical activity facilities near schools affect physical activity in high school girls?

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To investigate associations between the number of physical activity facilities within walking distance of school and physical activity behavior in 12th grade girls during after-school hours. METHODS:Girls (N=1394) from 22 schools completed a self-report to determine physical activity after 3:00 p.m. The number of physical activity facilities within a 0.75-mile buffer of the school was counted with a Geographic Information System. Associations between the number of facilities and girls' physical activity were examined using linear mixed-model analysis of variance. RESULTS:Overall, girls who attended schools with ?5 facilities within the buffer reported more physical activity per day than girls in schools with <5 facilities. In addition, girls who attended rural schools with ?5 facilities reported ?12% more physical activity per day than girls who attended rural schools with <5 facilities. No difference existed for girls in urban/suburban schools with ?5 vs. <5 facilities. CONCLUSION:When school siting decisions are made, the number of physical activity facilities surrounding the school should be considered to encourage physical activity in 12th grade girls.

SUBMITTER: Trilk JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056935 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature