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Street Connectivity is Negatively Associated with Physical Activity in Canadian Youth

Author

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  • Graham Mecredy

    (Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • William Pickett

    (Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
    Clinical Research Center, Angada 3, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada)

  • Ian Janssen

    (Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
    School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

Abstract

Street connectivity, defined as how well streets connect to one and other and the density of intersections, is positively associated with active transportation in adults. Our objective was to study the relation between street connectivity and physical activity in youth. Study participants consisted of 8,535 students in grades 6–10 from 180 schools across Canada who completed the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. Street connectivity was measured in a 5 km circular buffer around these schools using established geographic information system measures. Physical activity performed outside of school hours was assessed by questionnaire, and multi-level regression analyses were used to estimate associations with street connectivity after controlling for several covariates. Compared to students living in the highest street connectivity quartile, those in the second (relative risk = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.10–1.35), third (1.25, 1.13–1.37), and fourth (1.21, 1.09–1.34) quartiles were more likely to be physically active outside of school. In conclusion, youth in neighbourhoods with the most highly connected streets reported less physical activity outside of school than youth from neighbourhoods with less connected streets. Relationships between street connectivity and physical activity reported in this national study are in the opposite direction to those previously observed for active transportation in adult populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Graham Mecredy & William Pickett & Ian Janssen, 2011. "Street Connectivity is Negatively Associated with Physical Activity in Canadian Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:8:y:2011:i:8:p:3333-3350:d:13577
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saelens, B.E. & Sallis, J.F. & Black, J.B. & Chen, D., 2003. "Neighborhood-Based Differences in Physical Activity: An Environment Scale Evaluation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(9), pages 1552-1558.
    2. Kevin Krizek & Amanda Birnbaum & David Levinson, 2004. "A Schematic for Focusing on Youth in Investigations of Community Design and Physical Activity," Working Papers 200408, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    3. Southworth, Michael & Ben-Joseph, Eran, 2004. "Reconsidering the Cul-de-sac," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt1qn0g780, University of California Transportation Center.
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