Patterns of perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity in adolescents: a latent class analysis

To identify patterns of characteristics of the perceived neighborhood environment and relate them to the types of physical activity practiced by adolescents.

Observational epidemiological study with 1,066 adolescents (55.2% female, 10 to 13 years old) from João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Environmental characteristics were measured using a 16-item scale in three domains (places for practice, urban and traffic safety) and types of physical activity practice (recreation, sports, physical exercise and active commuting - minutes/week) by questionnaire. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was applied to identify patterns of environmental characteristics and linear regression to relate them to the types of practice.

LCA identified four patterns of environmental characteristics: "not diverse and unsafe" (26.6%), "not diverse and safe" (13.6%), "diverse and unsafe" (30.8%), and "diverse and safe" (29.6%). Perceiving the environment as "diverse and safe" was positively and significantly associated with the time spent practicing recreational activities (β=42.16; 95%CI 4.35-79.97). The patterns of environmental characteristics were not associated with the time spent practicing sports, physical exercise, and active transportation.

adolescents who perceived the neighborhood environment as "diverse and safe" had a longer time practicing recreational activities.