Research on Educational Sport

Modeling the Effects of Urban Environmental Factors on Walking and Adolescents’ Health (Case Study: District 4, Tehran)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

mona mohammadi 1
hamidreza azemati 2
Fatemeh Jam 3
bahram salehsedghpour 4

1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture ; Urban Design, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Design, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran

3 , Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University

4 shahid rajaee university

https://doi.org/10.22089/res.2025.17331.2561
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity and obesity among children and adolescents has risen markedly. Physical activity during adolescence plays a key role in shaping a physically active lifestyle in adulthood and can influence their physical health. This study aims to present a causal model to examine the effects of urban environmental factors on students’ health. The study population consisted of secondary-school adolescents in District 4 of Tehran, selected through a two-stage cluster random sampling method. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis. The results indicate that the proposed model fits the data well, and variables such as neighborhood dynamics and safety, residential density, street connectivity, and facilities for walking and cycling are significant predictors of adolescents’ health indices. The findings suggest that upgrading urban infrastructure and improving access to physical activity facilities can promote active behaviors and enhance youth health. These results emphasize the importance of urban policy that designs healthy and active environments.

Keywords

Adolescent health
Environmental Factors
urban infrastructure
Physical activity
Structural equation modeling

Subjects

Research on Educational Sport

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 December 2025

  • Receive Date 17 October 2024
  • Revise Date 08 November 2025
  • Accept Date 29 November 2025

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