The Safety of the Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity in Czech and Polish Adolescents

Josef Mitáš, Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski, Dorota Groffik and Karel Frömel
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Josef Mitáš: Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 77111 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski: Department of Physical Education, Academy of Physical Education, 40065 Katowice, Poland
Dorota Groffik: Department of Physical Education, Academy of Physical Education, 40065 Katowice, Poland
Karel Frömel: Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, 77111 Olomouc, Czech Republic

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: (1) Background : An increase in or at least the sustainment of walking activities across a wide section of the population is a crucial health-related task for Central and East European countries. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between adolescents’ walking activities and various levels of perceived safety of the built environment in differing socio-demographic backgrounds of Poland and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, we aimed to determine major moderators affecting the walking habits of adolescents in areas with different levels of walkability. (2) Methods : The surveys were conducted during the 2008–2009 and 2013–2014 school years in 24 Polish and 35 Czech secondary schools, with a sample of 2001 adolescents. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Long Form and the NEWS–Abbreviated. Selected students took part in objective weekly monitoring of physical activity (PA). (3) Results : Boys and girls who perceived their neighborhood environment as the safest were significantly more likely to meet the recommendations for leisure-time walking. Adolescents from the safest environment achieved 11,024 steps/day on average, while those from the least safe environment achieved 9686 steps/day. (4) Conclusions : A safe neighborhood environment significantly predicts walking activities among girls. Environmental safety improvement can support the active transport and better use of leisure time PA.

Keywords: built environment; IPAQ-long form; recommendation; steps (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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