Introduction
Low levels of physical activity are associated with several noncommunicable diseases.
In Mexico, 39.5% of adolescents do not meet WHO physical activity guidelines. Previous
literature suggests an association between perception of safety and physical activity.
This paper examines the association between perceived crime and pedestrian safety
and physical activity in Mexican adolescents.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used data from 4,079 adolescents aged 15–18 years in Mexico.
Physical activity was measured with the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire and
was grouped into the following 5 domains: (1) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity,
(2) sports activity, (3) leisure time activity, (4) physical education class, and
(5) active commuting to school. Perception of safety was measured as pedestrian safety
and crime safety, using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Youth. Confirmatory
factor analysis was performed to examine the construct validity of this scale on the
Mexican population. Data were collected in 2017 and analyzed in 2018. Associations
between physical activity and perception of safety were examined using linear regression
models.
Results
Low perception of pedestrian safety was associated with lower moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity per week (coefficient= −0.12, 95% CI= −0.19, −0.05) and lower sports
activity per week (coefficient= −0.13, 95% CI= −0.23, −0.03) in female adolescents.
There was no association between perception of safety and physical activity among
male adolescents.
Conclusions
Pedestrian safety was negatively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
and sports participation in female youth. Environments with better lighting, crosswalks,
and walking/cycle trails could increase physical activity in female youth.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: February 13, 2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
