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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Department of Physical Education, Academy of Physical Education, 40065 Katowice, Poland)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Josef Mitáš & Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski & Dorota Groffik & Karel Frömel, 2018. "The Safety of the Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity in Czech and Polish Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:126-:d:126747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris & Athanasios Sideris, 2010. "What Brings Children to the Park? Analysis and Measurement of the Variables Affecting Children's Use of Parks," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(1), pages 89-107.
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    Cited by:

    1. Scott C. Brown & Tatiana Perrino & Joanna Lombard & Kefeng Wang & Matthew Toro & Tatjana Rundek & Carolina Marinovic Gutierrez & Chuanhui Dong & Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk & Maria I. Nardi & Jack Kardys , 2018. "Health Disparities in the Relationship of Neighborhood Greenness to Mental Health Outcomes in 249,405 U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, March.
    2. George Danut Mocanu & Gabriel Murariu & Dan Munteanu, 2021. "The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Forms of Leisure for the Students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Yuliang Sun & Chunzhen He & Xinxin Zhang & Wenfei Zhu, 2020. "Association of Built Environment with Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Men and Women Living inside the City Wall of Xi’an, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Dorota Groffik & Karel Frömel & Mateusz Ziemba & Josef Mitáš, 2021. "The Association between Participation in Organized Physical Activity and the Structure of Weekly Physical Activity in Polish Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    5. Maria Cieśla & Elżbieta Macioszek, 2022. "The Perspective Projects Promoting Sustainable Mobility by Active Travel to School on the Example of the Southern Poland Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. František Chmelík & Karel Frömel & Dorota Groffik & Michal Šafář & Josef Mitáš, 2021. "Does Vigorous Physical Activity Contribute to Adolescent Life Satisfaction?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Sara Pereira & Peter T. Katzmarzyk & Donald Hedeker & José Maia, 2018. "Profile Resemblance in Health-Related Markers: The Portuguese Sibling Study on Growth, Fitness, Lifestyle, and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Karel Frömel & Dorota Groffik & Josef Mitáš & Jan Dygrýn & Petr Valach & Michal Šafář, 2020. "Active Travel of Czech and Polish Adolescents in Relation to Their Well-Being: Support for Physical Activity and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    9. Diego Sales & Victor Matsudo & Mauro Fisberg & Clemens Drenowatz & Adilson Marques & Gerson Ferrari, 2022. "Perception of the Neighborhood Environment, Physical Activity by Domain and Sitting Time in Brazilian Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.

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