The association of school environments with youth physical activity

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 618 - 620
• Main Authors: Sallis, JF, Conway, TL, Prochaska, JJ, McKenzie, TL, Marshall, SJ, Brown, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Am Public Health Assoc 01.04.2001; American Public Health Association
• Subjects: Adolescent; Analysis. Health state; Basketball; Biological and medical sciences; California; Child; Children & youth; Environment Design; Epidemiology; Exercise; Female; General aspects; Girls; Health Behavior; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle school students; Middle schools; Physical activity; Physical education; Physical fitness; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Regression Analysis; School environment; Schools - statistics & numerical data; Social Environment; Sports facilities; Students; Supervision; Tennis; USA; Variables; California; United States; North America; America; Human; Physical exercise; School; Area; Adolescent; Activity; Sport equipment; Epidemiology; School environment; Public health; Supervision
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.91.4.618

This study assessed the association of school environmental characteristics with student physical activity on campus. Physical activity areas (n = 137) at 24 public middle schools were assessed for area type, size, and improvements (e.g., basketball courts). Student physical activity and the presence of equipment and supervision were directly observed before school, after lunch, and after school. Environmental characteristics explained 42% of the variance in the proportion of girls who were physically active and 59% of the variance for boys. School environments with high levels of supervision and improvements stimulated girls and boys to be more physically active.