Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physical Activity and Nutrition Among Youth in Rural, Suburban and Urban Neighbourhood Types

  • Quantitative Research
  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Physical activity and nutrition are essential to healthy living and particularly important during youth, when growth and development are key. This study examined rates of physical activity (PA) and diet quality (DQ) among youth in grades 7 to 9 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, during the 2008/09 school year and tested differences among students in rural, urban and suburban neighbourhood types of high and low socio-economic status (SES).

Methods

Youth in grades 7 through 9 (aged 12–16; 53% male) from six schools (N=380), stratified by neighbourhood type (urban, suburban, rural) |and SES, wore accelerometers for up to 7 days (mean=4.14, standard deviation=1.49) and completed a nutritional survey.

Results

The findings suggest important differences in PA and DQ across SES and neighbourhood type. Specifically, rates of moderate to vigorous physical activity among youth from schools in lower socio-economic areas were higher in urban than in suburban or rural settings. Furthermore, DQ was better among youth in higher than in lower socio-economic urban settings.

Conclusions

Understanding these differences in PA and DQ across rural, urban and suburban environments of high and low SES may highlight subgroups and targeted geographic areas for the design of interventions to improve rates of PA and health nutrition.

Résumé

Objectifs

L’activité physique et la nutrition sont essentiels à un mode de vie sain et particulièrement importantes durant la jeunesse, en pleine période de croissance et de développement. Nous avons examiné les taux d’activité physique (AP) et la qualité du régime (QR) d’élèves de la 7e à la 9e année à Halifax (Nouvelle-Ecosse) durant l’année scolaire 2008–2009 et évalué les écarts entre les élèves des quartiers ruraux, urbains et suburbains, de statut socioéconomique (SSE) faible et élevé.

Méthode

Des jeunes de la 7e à la 9e année (de 12 à 16 ans; 53 % de garçons) fréquentant six écoles (N=380) stratifiées selon le type de quartier (urbain, suburbain, rural) et le SSE ont porté des accéléromètres pendant 7 jours ou moins (4,14 jours en moyenne, écart type de 1,49) et rempli un questionnaire sur la nutrition.

Résultats

Les constatations de l’étude laissent entrevoir d’importants écarts dans l’AP et la QR selon le SSE et le type de quartier. En particulier, les taux d’activité physique modérée à vigoureuse chez les jeunes des écoles de zones socioéconomiquement faibles étaient plus élevés en milieu urbain qu’en milieu rural ou suburbain. De plus, la QR était meilleure chez les jeunes des quartiers urbains de SSE élevé plutôt que faible.

Conclusion

La connaissance de ces écarts dans l’AP et la QR entre les environnements ruraux, urbains et suburbains, de SSE élevé ou faible, peut faire ressortir des sous-groupes et des zones géographiques à cibler pour concevoir des interventions qui améliorent les taux d’AP et de saine alimentation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kelder SH, Perry CL, Klepp KI, Lytle LL. Longitudinal tracking of adolescent smoking, physical activity, and food choice behaviors. Am J Public Health 1994;84:1121–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, Story M. Family meals during adolescence are associated with higher diet quality and healthful meal patterns during young adulthood. J Am Diet Assoc 2007;107:1502–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Thompson AM, McHugh TL, Blanchard C, Campagna PD, Durant MA, Rehman LA, et al. Physical activity of children and youth in Nova Scotia from 2001/02 and 2005/06. Prev Med 2009;49(5):407–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Campagna P, Amero M, Arthur M, Durant M, Murphy R, Porter J, et al. PACY 2005: Physical Activity Levels and Dietary Intake of Children and Youth in the Province of Nova Scotia. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection and Department of Education, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hanson MD, Chen E. Socioeconomic status and health behaviors in adolescence: A review of the literature. J Behav Med 2007;30:263–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Veugelers PJ, Fitzgerald AL, Johnston E. Dietary intake and risk factors for poor diet quality among children in Nova Scotia. Can J Public Health 2005;96:212–16.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ismailov RM, Leatherdale ST. Rural-urban differences in overweight and obesity among a large sample of adolescents in Ontario. Int J Pediatr Obes 2010;5:351–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sandercock G, Angus C, Barton J. Physical activity levels of children living in different built environments. Prev Med 2010;50:193–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hodgkin E, Hamlin MJ, Ross JJ, Peters F. Obesity, energy intake and physical activity in rural and urban New Zealand children. Rural Remote Health 2010;10:1336 (online).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Loucaides CA, Plotnikoff RC, Bercovitz K. Differences in the correlates of physical activity between urban and rural Canadian youth. J Sch Health 2007;77:164–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Huang S, Hung W, Sharpe PA, Wai JP. Neighborhood environment and physical activity among urban and rural schoolchildren in Taiwan. Health Place 2010;16:470–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Veugelers P, Sithole F, Zhang S, Muhajarine N. Neighbourhood characteristics in relation to diet, physical activity and overweight of Canadian children. Int J Pediatr Obes 2008;3:153–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Battle EK, Brownell KD. Confronting the rising tide of eating disorders and obesity: Treatment vs. prevention and policy. Addict Behav 1996;21:755–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ebbeling CB, Pawlak DB, Ludwig DS. Childhood obesity: Public health crisis, common sense cure. Lancet 2002;360:473–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Davis B, Carpenter C. Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent obesity. Am J Public Health 2009;99:505–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kant AK. Dietary patterns and health outcomes. [Am Diet Assoc 2004;104:615–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Smithers LG, Golley RK, Brazionis L, Lynch JW. Characterizing whole diets of young children from developed countries and the association between diet and health: A systematic review. Nutr Rev 2011;69:449–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Florence MD, Asbridge M, Veugelers PJ. Diet quality and academic performance. J Sch Health 2008;78:209–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Kirk SFL, Penney TL, McHugh TLF. Characterizing the obesogenic environment: The state of the evidence with directions for future research. Obes Rev 2009;11:109–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Hoeslcher DN, Evans A, Parcel G, Kelder SH. Designing effective nutrition interventions for adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc 2002;102:S52–S63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Parks SE, Housemann RA, Brownson RC. Differential correlates of physical activity in urban and rural adults of various socioeconomic backgrounds in the United States. J Epidemiol Community Health 2003;57:29–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Trost SF. Measurement of physical activity in children and adolescents. Am J Life Med 2007;1:299–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Freedson PS, Sirard J, Debold EP, Pate R, Dowda M. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997;29:S45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Rockett RH, Breitenback M, Frazier L, Witschi J, Wolf AM, Field AE, et al. Validation of a youth/adolescent food frequency questionnaire. Prev Med 1997;26:808–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kim S, Haines PS, Siega-Riz AM, Popkin BM. The Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) provides an effective tool for cross-national comparison of diet quality as illustrated by China and the United States. J Nutr 2003;133:3476–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Irving HM, Adlaf EM, Allison KR, Paglia A, Dwyer JJ, Goodman J. Trends in vigorous physical activity participation among Ontario adolescents, 1997–2001. Can J Public Health 2003;9:272–74.

    Google Scholar 

  27. King AC, Castro C, Wilcox S, Eyler AA, Sallis JF, Brownson RC. Personal and environmental factors associated with physical inactivity among different racial-ethnic groups of US middle-aged and older aged adults. Health Psychol 2000;19:354–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sallis JF, Saelens BE. Assessment of physical activity by self-report: Status, limitations, and future directions. Res Q Exerc Sport 2000;71(2):1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Joens-Matre RW, Welk GJ, Calabro MA, Russell DW, Nicklay E, Hensley LD. Rural-urban differences in physical activity, physical fitness, and overweight prevalence of children. J Rural Health 2008;24:49–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yousefian A, Ziller E, Swarz J, Hartley D. Active living for rural youth: Addressing physical inactivity in rural communities. J Public Health Manag Pract 2009;15:223–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Frost SS, Coins RT, Hunter RH, Hooker SP, Bryant LL, Kruger J, Pluto D. Effects of the built environment on activity of adults living in rural settings. Am J Health Promot 2010;24:267–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. Local opportunities to be active. Physical Activity Monitor 2005;Bulletin 5:64–78.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Walia S, Leipert B. Perceived facilitators and barriers to physical activity for rural youth: An exploratory study using photovoice. Rural Remote Health 2012;12;1842. Epub.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Moore LV, DiezRoux AV, Evenson KR, McGinn AP, Brines SJ. Availability of recreational resources in minority and low socioeconomic status areas. Am J Prev Med 2008;34:16–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Humbert ML, Chad KE, Spink KS, Muhajarine N, Anderson KD, Bruner MW, et al. Qual Health Res 2006;16:467–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Springer A, Hoelscher DM, Kelder SH. Prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in US high school students by metropolitan status and geographic region. J Phys Act Health 2006;3:365–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Lutz SM, Blaylock JR, Smallwood DM. Household characteristics affect food choices. Food Rev 1993;16(2):12–17.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Burdette HL, Whitaker RC. Neighborhood playgrounds, fast food restaurants, and crime: Relationships to overweight in low-income preschool children. Prev Med 2004;38:57–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T1, 1535 Dresden Row, Canada

    Cindy Shearer PhD (Dr.)

  2. Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Chris Blanchard PhD

  3. School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Sara Kirk PhD, Laurene Rehman PhD & Meaghan Sim MSc

  4. Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Bridgepoint Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Renee Lyons PhD

  5. Population Cancer Research Program, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Trevor Dummer PhD

  6. School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada

    Robert Pitter PhD & Chris Shields PhD

  7. Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Daniel Rainham PhD

Authors
  1. Cindy Shearer PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chris Blanchard PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sara Kirk PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Renee Lyons PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Trevor Dummer PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Robert Pitter PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Daniel Rainham PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Laurene Rehman PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Chris Shields PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Meaghan Sim MSc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cindy Shearer PhD.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health and Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes; and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, through the Built Environment, Obesity and Health Initiative. The authors thank the ENACT team, including its principal investigators Renee Lyons and Jill Grant; co-investigators (not listed as co-authors) Michael Arthur, Andrea Chircop, Patricia Manuel and Louise Parker; community and policy partners Janet Barlow, Diana Dibblee, Amy MacDonald, Roxane Maclnnis, Michelle Murton, Clare O’Connor, Paul Shakotko and Jacqueline Spiers; and staff and students Meredith Flannery, Andrew Harding, Nicole Landry, Kathryn MacKay, Gillian McGinnis, Julie Rouette and Stephanie Wood

Conflict of Interest: None to declare

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shearer, C., Blanchard, C., Kirk, S. et al. Physical Activity and Nutrition Among Youth in Rural, Suburban and Urban Neighbourhood Types. Can J Public Health 103 (Suppl 3), S55–S60 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403836

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403836

Key words

Mots clés

Search

Navigation