Parental Perceptions of Collective Efficacy are Inversely Related to Constraint of Adolescents' Outdoor Physical Activity

Objective: The current study examined associations between parents perceived collective efficacy and adolescents' obesity related behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and outcomes (e.g., obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors), an association that may be mediated by constrained outdoor play practices and moderated by aspects of the neighborhood physical environment (i.e., incivilities).;Methods: Adolescents [N=71; 11-18 years (14.2, SD+/-1.6); M=37 (52%); Non-white= 24(33.8%); Low-income= 20(29%); Overweight/Obese= 40(56%)] and their parent/guardians enrolled in the Molecular and Social Determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders in Developing Youth Study were included in the current study. Obesity (BMIz) and cardio-metabolic risk factors (cholesterol, HOMA_IR, and blood pressure) were measured by trained pediatric nurses. Physical activity was measured using a 7-day accelerometry protocol. Questionnaires measured parent's/guardian's perceptions of collective efficacy and constrained outdoor play practices (e.g. avoidance and defensive behaviors). Systematic social observation at the parcel-level using Google Street View assessed neighborhood incivilities.;Statistical Analyses: T-tests and chi-square tests determined gender, race and income differences. Multilevel general linear or logistic regression models were used to examine relationships between perceived collective efficacy and all outcomes. The Hayes (2013) macro determined the mediating role of avoidance and defensive behaviors. Multilevel general linear or logistic regression models including an interaction term determined the moderating role of incivilities.;Results: Obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors differed by income, gender and race. Parents who perceived higher levels of collective efficacy reported lower levels of avoidance (p=0.04) and defensive (p=0.05) behaviors. However, neither avoidance nor defensive behavior mediated the relationship between perceived collective efficacy and all outcomes. Moreover, no relationships between perceptions of collective efficacy and physical activity, obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors were observed. Low income and non-white participants disproportionately lived in high incivility neighborhoods (p<0.01); however, incivilities did not moderate the relationship between perceived collective efficacy and all outcomes.;Conclusion: The importance of perceived collective efficacy on parenting behaviors suggests that community-based multi-level programs that seek to facilitate social cohesion and control should be a key part of legislative efforts to increase physical activity, especially among disadvantaged populations. Reducing parents' constraint of offspring's outdoor play may be achieved by targeting modifiable social and physical environmental factors to ultimately improve physical activity and obesity-related outcomes.