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Background: Urban dwellers represent half the world's population and are increasing worldwide. Their health and behaviours are affected by the built environment and green areas may play a major role in promoting physical activity, thus decreasing the burden of chronic diseases, overweight and inactivity. However, the availability of green areas may not guarantee healthy levels of physical activity among the urban dwellers. It is therefore necessary to study how the perceived characteristics of green areas affect physical activity. Methods: Data from the EURO-URHIS 2 survey of residents of 13 cities across the UK were analyzed and a multivariable model was created in order to assess the association between their perceptions of the green areas in their neighbourhood and their engagement in physical activity. Results were adjusted for age, gender and other potential confounders. Results: Those who felt unable to engage in active recreational activities in their local green spaces were significantly less likely to carry out moderate physical exercise for at least 60 min per week (adjusted OR: 0.50; 95% 0.37-0.68). Availability of green areas within walking distance did not affect engagement in physical activity. Other characteristics such as accessibility and safety may play an important role. Conclusion: This study showed that the presence of green space may not itself encourage the necessary preventative health behaviours to tackle physical inactivity in urban populations. Development of more appropriate green spaces may be required. Further research is needed to shed light on the types green spaces that are most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reduced physical activity is a known risk factor for many illnesses. Research in adolescent populations found increased physical activity levels improves objective health outcomes, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between physical activity levels and self-reported health status. Aims: To synthesise current evidence on the association between physical activity and self-reported health status in adolescents. Secondary objectives are to assess whether the relationship is dose dependant, and the appropriateness of WHO recommendations on adolescents' physical activity. Methods: The main databases were searched using keywords for the main outcome of interest (health status, health behaviour and self-perception) and exposure of interest (motor activity, physical activity and exercise), supplemented with manual searches, secondary citation and reference searches. Quality appraisal was carried out using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. Results: Eleven studies entered this review. Nine studies reported a significant relationship between increased levels of physical activity and improved self-reported health status, however two did not. Two studies followed up participants and found that the relationship persisted over time. Two papers described a dose-response relationship. Improvements in self-perceived health can be observed even below the current recommended levels of physical activity. Conclusion: The review supports initiatives to encourage adolescents to engage in physical activity as it improves self-reported health status. Sub- optimal levels of physical activity can also be beneficial. Further research should use standardised measurement scales and objectively measured physical activity levels. The roles of gender, income and culture should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Engaging in regular physical activity has a beneficial impact on both physical health and on subjective health indicators. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the association between physical activity levels and self- reported health status in European adolescents and (ii) to identify any differences in the distribution of adolescents reporting good health between active and inactive subjects across urban areas. Methods: The study sample comprised 13 783 15-year olds from 21 urban areas across Europe who participated in the European Urban Health Indicators System Part 2 youth survey in 2010/11. Data collected on physical activity levels, self-rated health status and covariates including gender, BMI, socioeconomic status and sedentary behaviour were analyzed in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: High levels of physical activity (OR: 1.607, 95% CI: 1.245-2.074, P<0.001) were associated with self-rated 'good health' across the cohort as a whole. All cities except lasi showed a positive association between high levels of physical activity and good health. This was significant in four cases: Amsterdam, Cardiff, Greater Manchester and Merseyside (P=0.035, 0.016, 0.010 and 0.049, respectively). Only 13.3% of the cohort met the current WHO physical activity level recommendations. Conclusion: High levels of physical activity are positively associated with self-rated 'good health' status in European adolescents. Alarming levels of physical inactivity make it a priority to encourage greater engagement in physical activity. Promotion of physical activity should be specifically tailored to each urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]