Citation

Rosenberg D, Ding D, Sallis JF, Kerr J, Norman GJ, Durant N, Harris SK, Saelens BE. Prev. Med. 2009; 49(2-3): 213-218.

Affiliation

Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University and the University of California, 3900 5th Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92103.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.07.011

PMID

19632263

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychometric properties of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Youth (NEWS-Y) and explore its associations with context-specific and overall physical activity (PA) among youth. METHODS: In 2005, parents of children ages 5-11 (n= 116), parents of adolescents ages 12-18 (n= 171), and adolescents ages 12-18 (n= 171) from Boston, Cincinnati, and San Diego, completed NEWS-Y surveys regarding perceived land use mix-diversity, recreation facility availability, pedestrian/automobile traffic safety, crime safety, aesthetics, walking/cycling facilities, street connectivity, land use mix-access, and residential density. A standardized neighborhood environment score was derived. Self-reported activity in the street and in parks, and walking to parks, shops, school, and overall physical activity were assessed. RESULTS: The NEWS-Y subscales had acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC range .56-.87). Being active in a park, walking to a park, walking to shops, and walking to school were related to multiple environmental attributes in all three participant groups. Total neighborhood environment, recreation facilities, walking and cycling facilities, and land-use mix-access had the most consistent relationships with specific types of activity. CONCLUSIONS: The NEWS-Y has acceptable reliability and subscales were significantly correlated with specific types of youth PA. The NEWS-Y can be used to examine neighborhood environment correlates of youth PA.

Language: en