Violent crime and outdoor physical activity among inner-city youth

Background. Previous studies have shown poor correlation between subjective assessments of neighborhood safety and physical activity. This study was performed to model relationships between adolescentsʹ outdoor physical activity and objectively measured violent crime densities, along with other key environmental variables. Methods. Participantsʹ physical activity was measured using a validated questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was performed using outdoor physical activity away from school (OPA) as the dependent variable. Environmental factors included the density of violent crime within 1/2 mi of each participantʹs home, distance to nearest open play space, per capita income, and participantsʹ subjective assessment of neighborhood safety. Results. Multiple regression analysis showed that distance to nearest open play space was inversely and significantly associated with boysʹ OPA, while density of violent crime within 1/2 mi of home was inversely and significantly associated with girlsʹ OPA. Girlsʹ perceptions that their neighborhood was safe for physical activity were also associated with higher levels of OPA, while boysʹ assessments of neighborhood safety were not significantly related to OPA. Conclusions. Neighborhood violent crime may be a significant environmental barrier to outdoor physical activity for urban dwelling Mexican-American adolescent girls. Future studies of physical activity and the environment should use objective measures of environmental factors.