Physical activity and active commuting in relation to objectively measured built-environment attributes among adolescents

Background: The associations between objectively measured built-environment attributes and physical activity (PA) behavior have not been extensively studied in adolescents. This research aimed to analyze the associations between built-environment attributes and moderate to vigorous PA and active commuting among adolescents. Methods: Our sample comprised 465 Spanish adolescents (aged 14-18 y) who were recruited from the IPEN Adolescent study. The built-environment attributes around participant's home (0.25-, 0.5-, and 1-km street-network buffers) and moderate to vigorous PA were objectively measured. Results: Net residential density and urban Greenland area were positively associated with moderate to vigorous PA in 0.25- and 1-km buffers, respectively, and street intersection density was positively associated with active commuting, both in the 0.5- and 1-km buffers. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of assessing adolescents' neighborhoods when PA behavior is analyzed and when targeting PA interventions to promote health-enhancing behaviors.