High school students’ friendship network, physical activity and residential locations – a stochastic actor based model

Abstract Evidence shows that adolescents do not enough physical activity (PA), which could contribute to childhood overweight and obesity. Studies have shown both the built environment social networks influence adolescents’ PA, but more studies are needed investigate their combined using longitudinal data. We used a stochastic actor-based model analyzing two waves of Add Health data test if (1) home location has significant on high school student’s friendships, (2) neighborhood PA while controlling for friendship networks. The results indicate students’ level emulated peers’ levels students who lived closer together, increased likelihood forming friendships. However, variables described residential neighborhoods did show dynamics. This study contributes our understanding joint impacts friend dynamics in urban settings.