Barriers to youth physical activity in urban green spaces: evidence from a Turkish city

BACKGROUND: Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a critical public health concern among young people in Türkiye. Despite the high prevalence of inactivity, limited research has focused on the 15–24 age group and the environmental factors influencing their PA behaviours, particularly in small-scale cities. This study aims to address this gap by examining PA behaviours, urban green space (UGS) use, satisfaction levels, perceived environmental barriers, and gender-specific differences among young people in Çankırı, within a study sample predominantly composed of female participants aged 15–19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 students enrolled in public high schools and a university in Çankırı. A literature-based, original structured questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. The questionnaire measured PA frequency, satisfaction with UGS, preferred types of UGS, and perceived environmental barriers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinal and multinomial logistic regression analyses, as well as chi-square tests. RESULTS: In this sample, only 28.5% of participants met the recommended PA level (≥ 3 days/week). Male participants in this sample were significantly more active than females (OR = 5.699, p = .003), and older participants (20–24) were more active than younger ones (15–19) (OR = 2.024, p = .002). Satisfaction with UGS positively predicted PA frequency (OR = 1.46, p = .001). Gender and age influenced UGS preferences, with older males favouring larger public parks. Although post‑correction statistical tests were non‑significant, descriptive patterns in this sample suggested gender‑related differences in perceived environmental barriers: male participants more often mentioned limited space, lack of sports fields, and stray animals, whereas female participants more frequently emphasised safety concerns. CONCLUSION: In this predominantly female and 15–19‑year‑old student sample, the findings suggest—exploratorily—that physical inactivity may be influenced by age, gender, environmental perceptions, and socio‑cultural factors, rather than individual choices alone. In particular, gender-specific perceptions of environmental barriers reveal that interventions aimed at promoting PA cannot succeed through a “uniform” approach. Therefore, the development of effective public health strategies at the local level necessitates holistic and context-sensitive planning approaches that recognise and respond to gender- and age-specific differences.