Research on Educational Sport

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

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
Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
The rising prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has become a major public health concern in recent years. Concurrently, physical activity during adolescence is pivotal for establishing lifelong healthy behaviors and for shaping long-term health trajectories. This study aims to develop and test a causal model to understand how urban environmental factors influence students' health. By focusing on secondary-school adolescents in District 4 of Tehran, we seek to identify which aspects of the urban environment most strongly relate to health indices and to inform policies that foster active lifestyles. The research is driven by the premise that neighborhood characteristics, infrastructure, and access to physical activity resources can either hinder or promote healthy behaviors. Through modeling these relationships, we intend to provide actionable insights for designing healthier, more active urban settings for youth. The ultimate goal is to support urban planning decisions that yield tangible benefits for adolescent health outcomes.
Methods
This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among second-year high school students residing in District 4 of Tehran. Data were collected from 20 neighborhoods in District 4 between Farvardin and Khordad 1402 (March to May 2023), using a two-stage cluster random sampling design to select a representative sample from schools with diverse socioeconomic contexts. The study assessed walking-related environmental variables using the instrument "Neighborhood Walkability for Adolescents," a self-administered questionnaire that encompassed nine dimensions: land-use mix, neighborhood recreational facilities, residential density (types of housing), access to services, street connectivity, walking and cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety, and security. Fat percentage was measured with an Omron Model 306 device, with simultaneous validation of the device's accuracy. Personal data (height, weight, age, and sex) were entered by the researcher into the device, and the measurement commenced by placing electrodes on the participant's hand and pressing the start button. This study employed a correlational approach within the framework of structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the hypothesized relationships. The modeling was grounded in theory and prior empirical work linking environmental exposures to health outcomes. The SEM approach enabled estimation of direct and indirect effects among latent variables representing environmental characteristics and physical health indicators, while controlling for potential confounders such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, and school-level clustering. Model fit was evaluated using standard indices (e.g., CFI, RMSEA, SRMR), and sensitivity analyses tested the robustness of findings to alternative specifications. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from participants and guardians as required. Data management ensured confidentiality and compliance with applicable regulations. The study design emphasizes methodological rigor in elucidating the causal pathways by which urban environments influence health behaviors and health outcomes among adolescents.
Results
Descriptive results indicate that 50% of students fall into the overweight/obese category based on body fat percentage. This finding is consistent with numerous studies on obesity among students in cities across Iran. Furthermore, results show an inverse association between walking activity and body fat percentage, supporting prior research. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results provide an empirical pattern whereby neighborhood-level perceptual walkability variables predict students' physical activity. In the model-building process, all available variables were tested, and only those that demonstrated statistical significance and robustness across multiple specification tests were included in the final model. Land-use mix around schools showed a direct association with students' physical activity, suggesting that multi-use environments and diverse land-use opportunities can enhance opportunities for physical activity. Controlling for individual factors such as age and sex, as well as socioeconomic factors, this effect remained strong and reliable, indicating that neighborhood design and land-use integration can be a meaningful strategy to elevate students' physical activity levels. Residential density exhibited an inverse association with students' physical activity. Additionally, street connectivity between the school and neighborhood paths was linked with reduced physical activity, indicating potential trade-offs that may occur with certain spatial configurations. Perceived accessibility to walking and cycling facilities emerged as a key direct predictor of physical activity, reflecting the role of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and related transportation services in supporting activity. Importantly, the structural model enables the examination of indirect effects. Path analyses identified and quantified mediating pathways through which land-use diversity influences physical activity, highlighting the intermediary role of neighborhood infrastructure in shaping the final outcome.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that urban environmental factors significantly influence adolescents' health, with neighborhood dynamics and safety, residential density, street connectivity, and facilities for walking and cycling emerging as key determinants. The findings are consistent with a directional interpretation in which environmental enhancements facilitate increased physical activity and improved health outcomes among youth. Upgrading urban infrastructure and expanding access to physical activity resources appear to be effective strategies for promoting active lifestyles and reducing health disparities in urban adolescent populations. The results underscore the role of urban policy in designing environments that enable healthy behaviors, indicating that targeted investments in walkable streets, safe neighborhoods, and accessible activity facilities can yield meaningful health benefits for students. Implementing comprehensive, equity-focused urban planning that integrates health considerations has the potential to sustain healthier behaviors into adulthood, contributing to long-term public health gains.
Article Message
This article examines the effects of urban environmental factors on adolescent health and presents a causal model to understand the relationship between neighborhood characteristics, safety, density, and access to walking and cycling facilities with health indicators. The main findings indicate that upgrading infrastructure and increasing access to active spaces lead to greater physical activity and better health among students. The conclusions emphasize the importance of integrated urban policy to create healthy, active, and equitable environments to achieve long-term health sustainability. This message can guide policymakers and urban planners in making informed decisions to foster youth health.
Ethical Considerations
This article is derived from a portion of information related to the doctoral dissertation project by the first author titled "Analysis of Environmental Capabilities in Walkability of Educational Spaces Neighborhoods Based on Enhancing Student Health," which received formal ethical clearance from the Graduate Office Review Board at Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University on July 12, 2020, under permit number 23914. All procedures described in the approved protocol were conducted in accordance with the applicable ethical standards and guidelines for human subjects research.
Authors' Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the development and completion of this research. Mona Mohammadi conceptualized the study, obtained ethical approvals, collected data, and wrote the manuscript. Hamid Reza Azemati supervised the research process and served as project manager. Fatemeh Jam handled graphic design, revised and edited the manuscript, and contributed to the visual presentation. Bahram Saleh Sedghpour provided methodological oversight and guided the data analysis. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. No external funding was received for this study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper. The research was conducted independently, and no external funding or sponsorship was received that could influence the study's design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation. All authors have contributed equally to this research and have approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.




Keywords

Adolescent Health
Physical Activity
Urban Environment
Urban Infrastructure
Structural Equation Modeling
Subjects

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

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