Objectively-assessed and perceived neighborhood environment and changes of physical activity over 12 months among Hong Kong Chinese children

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the associations of objectively-assessed and perceived neighborhood environment with 12-month change in physical activity (PA) among Chinese children in Hong Kong. Methods: Data were from a longitudinal study Understanding Children’s Activity and Nutrition (UCAN). Children wore an Acti- Graph monitor for eight consecutive days in 2010 and one-year later (N=412). Parents of the participating children completed a questionnaire on perceived environment in the neighborhood (availability of sport facilities, traffic safety and local destinations). Geographic Information System (GIS)-determined variables included nearest distance (both street network and crow-fly) to parks and recreational destinations, road length, road intersection density, and percent of bicycle track area. Associations between predictors and change in PA were examined using linear mixed models. Interactions with sex, area socio-economic status and area walkability were also studied. Results: Total PA during weekdays (TPA, mean cpm) declined. None of the perceived environment variables predicted changes in PA. After controlling for age, sex, parental education, marital status and baseline values, the nearest street network distance to recreational destinations was positively associated with changes in TPA and vigorous PA during weekday for children from high-walkable areas. Percent of bicycle track area was negatively related to change of total PA on weekend days for children living in low walkable areas. Conclusions: Objectively-assessed environmental determinants of PA change differed for weekday and weekend days. PA interventions may need to consider the type of neighborhood. Future research should identify perceived PA-related neighborhood factors specific to the context of Hong Kong.