Associations between family support, family intimacy, and neighborhood violence and physical activity in urban adolescent girls

Am J Public Health. 2007 Jan;97(1):101-3. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.072348. Epub 2006 Nov 30.

Abstract

We examined the association between various dimensions of the family environment, including family intimacy and involvement in activities, family support for physical activity, and neighborhood violence (perceived and objective) and physical activity among urban, predominantly African American, ninth-grade girls in Baltimore, Md. Greater family intimacy (P = .05) and support (P = .01), but not neighborhood violence, was associated with physical activity. Family factors, including family intimacy and support, are potential targets in physical activity interventions for urban high-school girls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Baltimore
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Family Relations / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Motor Activity*
  • Parent-Child Relations / ethnology
  • Psychology, Social
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Social Environment
  • Social Support*
  • Urban Population*
  • Violence