Abstract
BackgroundHigh-quality measurement instruments for assessing the neighbourhood environment are a prerequisite for identifying associations between the neighbourhood environment and a person’s physical activity. The aim of this systematic review was to identify reliable and valid questionnaires assessing neighbourhood environmental attributes in the context of physical activity behaviours in children and adolescents. In addition, current gaps and best practice models in instrumentation and their evaluation are discussed.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature search using six databases (Web of Science, Medline, TRID, SportDISCUS, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO). Two independent reviewers screened the identified English-language peer-reviewed journal articles. Only studies examining the measurement properties of self- or proxy-report questionnaires on any aspects of the neighbourhood environment in children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the COSMIN checklists.ResultsWe identified 13 questionnaires on attributes of the neighbourhood environment. Most of these studies were conducted in the United States (n = 7). Eight studies evaluated self-report measures, two studies evaluated parent-report measures and three studies included both administration types. While eight studies had poor methodological quality, we identified three questionnaires with substantial test-retest reliability and two questionnaires with acceptable convergent validity based on sufficient evidential basis.ConclusionsBased on the results of this review, we recommend that cross-culturally adapted questionnaires should be used and that existing questionnaires should be evaluated especially in diverse samples and in countries other than the United States. Further, high-quality studies on measurement properties should be promoted and measurement models (formative vs. reflexive) should be specified to ensure that appropriate methods for psychometric testing are applied in future studies.
Highlights
High-quality measurement instruments for assessing the neighbourhood environment are a prerequisite for identifying associations between the neighbourhood environment and a person’s physical activity
Search strategy In this review, we considered all neighbourhood environmental attributes potentially relating to physical activity behaviours in children and adolescents including aspects such as accessibility, safety, convenience, attractiveness and distances to physical activity and recreational facilities or areas, aspects of urban design and traffic features [12,15]
We systematically reviewed 13 studies on measurement properties of self- and proxy-report questionnaires for assessing neighbourhood environmental correlates of physical activity behaviours in youth and rated their methodological quality using modified versions of the COSMIN checklists
Summary
High-quality measurement instruments for assessing the neighbourhood environment are a prerequisite for identifying associations between the neighbourhood environment and a person’s physical activity. The aim of this systematic review was to identify reliable and valid questionnaires assessing neighbourhood environmental attributes in the context of physical activity behaviours in children and adolescents. Physical activity has been associated with several health benefits in children and adolescents [1,2]. Many children and adolescents in developed countries do not complete the recommended level of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day [3,4]. The effects of the neighbourhood environment on physical activity behaviour are assumed to be context- and behaviourspecific [7]
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