Neighborhood environment, self-efficacy, and physical activity in urban adolescents

Carolyn C. Voorhees, Alice F. Yan, Kelly J. Clifton, Min Qi Wang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    14 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Objectives: To test the pathways between perceptions of built environment factors and physical activity in urban youth. Methods: Three hundred fifty high school students' perceptions of neighborhood, and barrier self efficacy were measured by a Web survey. Physical activities were assessed using a one-week diary and accelerometers. Results: Land-use mix/accessibility and neighborhood satisfaction had direct pathways to walking. Barrier self-efficacy had a direct pathway to walking. In addition, land use, specifically neighborhood accessibility, influenced adolescents' walking behavior via self-efficacy. Similar pathways were found in MVPA models. Conclusions: Neighborhood factors appear to work together with self-efficacy to facilitate physical activity.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)674-688
    Number of pages15
    JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior
    Volume35
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • Built environment
    • Physical activity
    • Self-efficacy
    • Urban
    • Walking behavior

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Social Psychology
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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