Cross-sectional association between crime in neighborhoods and different types of physical activities and screen-based device usage among schoolchildren

Objective We aimed to analyze the association between police-reported violent crimes in neighborhoods and participation in leisure-time physical activities, leisure-time screen-based device usage, and active commuting to school. Methods Schoolchildren from 2nd to 5th grade participated in this cross-sectional study (n = 2,477; age = 9.1 ± 1.38 years). Active commuting to school, physical activity, and screen-based device usage were self-reported on the online Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren (Web-CAAFE) questionnaire. Police-reported violent crimes were obtained from the Homicide Department of Civil Police and presented as an annual rate proportional to neighborhood area in Km². Multiple Poisson Regression Models stratified by gender and age range (7–9 years; 10–12 years) estimated the Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). Results Overall, schoolchildren living in neighborhoods with a higher crime rate (> 4.8 PVRC/Km²) presented a prevalence of active commuting to school by cycling at 44% lower (PR = 0.56; 95%CI = 0.33–0.96) and a prevalence of screen-based device usage at 11% higher (PR = 1.11; 95%CI = 1.01–1.21). There was no association between the crime rate and active commuting to school by walking and leisure-time physical activity. Crime was associated with a lower prevalence of leisure-time active play (1st quartile) (PR = 0.94; 95%CI = 0.88–0.99) and a higher prevalence of leisure-time non-active play (4th quartile) (PR = 1.25; 95%CI = 1.05–1.50). There was no association between crime and structured physical activity and household chores. Conclusion Schoolchildren living in high-crime rate neighborhoods showed a lower prevalence of active commuting to school and active play, and higher screen-based device usage and non-active play.