Subjective and objective indicators of neighbourhood safety and physical activity among UK adolescents

The health benefits of regular physical activity in adolescence are well-documented. Many health-related behaviours and lifestyle choices are established in adolescence. The neighbourhood environment is a key setting for physical activity in adolescence and feeling unsafe in their neighbourhood may be a potential barrier to physical activity. This study aimed to examine associations between neighbourhood safety and physical activity using objective and subjective measures for both. Participants (n=10,913) came from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative UK longitudinal birth cohort. Results indicate that feeling unsafe in the neighbourhood, IMD crime and violent crime are barriers to physical activity participation in adolescents.