Background: Neighborhood-level environmental features have been associated with adult physical activity and weight status, but this link has not been established for adolescents.
Methods: Community design and access to recreational facilities variables were derived using geographic information systems (GIS) for 799 adolescents (age 11 to 15 y, mean = 12.8 y, 53% girls, 43% ethnic minority). Environment variables were calculated for a 1-mile buffer around each participant's residence. Accelerometers measured min/d of physical activity.
Results: Number of nearby recreation facilities and number of nearby parks correlated positively with girls' physical activity, and intersection density inversely related to girls' physical activity. Retail floor area ratio correlated positively with boys' physical activity. No community design or access to recreation variables were related to BMI-percentile.
Conclusions: There was limited evidence that both community design and access to recreation facilities variables were associated with adolescent physical activity, but additional built environment variables need to be studied that have particular relevance for youth.
Keywords: built environment; children; exercise; obesity; policy.