What influences park use and physical activity? (original) (raw)
Related papers
2014
Public parks can play a substantial role in increasing physical activity (PA) because they offer a wide range of either free or low-cost activities. For many Americans, there are limitations on the environment and resources where they can be physically active. Parks are important resources for promoting PA, yet few studies have examined how preferences of park features relate to physical activity levels and socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigated associations between city park use and PA levels across low and higher SES groups. A secondary purpose of the study was to assess the association between preferences of park features used for PA and PA levels across low and higher SES groups. Data were collected via questionnaire from 318 city residents. Descriptive analysis provided means, standard deviations and frequencies. Independent t-tests were run to examine the differences among low and higher SES residents' survey responses. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between a being physical activity at a park (Yes/No) and IPAQ categories. An additional chisquare test was used to determine the association between a having a neighborhood park present (Yes/No) and IPAQ categories, income category and IPAQ categories. A Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship of minutes of self-reported park usage and self-reported minutes per week of physical activity from the IPAQ. Finally, binary logistic regression models were used to assess (a) park-based physical activity was related to physical activity from the IPAQ; and (b) the a relationship between specific park features and meeting physical activity guidelines from the IPAQ. Binary logistic regression models were calculated individually for low SES, high SES, and total sample. All the logistics regression analyses were adjusted for age and gender. The significance level was set at alpha ≤ .05. Responses for open-ended survey questions were qualitatively examined. The researcher first read through all comments several times to become familiar with the content. Then meaning units were created and coded based on words or statements that communicate the same central meaning through their content. The results of this study indicated a positive relationship between park-based PA and PA measured by the IPAQ. The most visited parks' main features were open space, trails, and sidewalks. Participants reported using open space, trails, and sidewalks the most. There were no differences in either park use or park features used for physical activity by SES group. Specific park features were not related with PA levels (p>.05). Adults who reported being physically active at a park were more likely to meet PA recommendations compared to those not active at a park (OR= 2.01, 95% CI= 1.20-3.36). A similar finding was observed for the high SES group (OR=1.90, 95% CI=1.05-3.50), but not the low SES group (OR=2.35, 95% CI=0.8-6.90). Better measuring and understanding how the park preferences of city residents are associated with physical activity and health may improve the understanding of how parks facilitate active living.
Park-Based Physical Activity in Diverse Communities of Two U.S. Cities An Observational Study
2008
Results: Seventy percent of Tampa and 51% of Chicago park users were observed engaged in sedentary behavior. In both cities, children were more likely than adults to be observed in walking or vigorous activity. In Tampa, parks located in neighborhoods with the highest concentration of Hispanic residents were associated with greatest levels of energy expen- diture. In Chicago, parks in
Parks and physical activity: Why are some parks used more than others?
Preventive Medicine, 2010
Objective. To assess how park characteristics and demographic factors are associated with park use. Methods. We studied a diverse sample of parks in a Southern California metropolitan area in [2006][2007][2008] representing a variety of racial and ethnic communities of different socioeconomic strata. We surveyed 51 park directors, 4257 park users and local residents, and observed 30 parks. We explored relationships among the number of people observed, the number of park programs offered, number of organized activities observed, park size, existence of park advisory board, perceptions of safety, and population density and characteristics.
The association between park facilities and the occurrence of physical activity during park visits
Journal of Leisure Research, 2018
Prior research has found a positive relationship between the variety of park facilities and parkbased physical activity (PA), but has not provided an estimate of the effect that additional different PA facilities have on whether an individual is active during a park visit. Using objective measures of park visits and PA from an urban sample of 225 adults in King County, Washington, we compared the variety of PA facilities in parks visited where an individual was active to PA facilities in parks where the same individual was sedentary. Each additional different PA facility at a park was associated with a 6% increased probability of being active during a visit. Adding additional different PA facilities to a park appears to have a moderate effect on whether an individual is active during a park visit, which could translate into large community health impacts when scaled up to multiple park visitors.
Rural and urban park visits and park-based physical activity
Preventive Medicine, 2010
Objective. A physical activity disparity exists between rural and urban residents. Community parks are resources for physical activity because they are publicly provided, available at a low cost, and accessible to most residents. We examine the use of and physical activity outcomes associated with rural and urban parks.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2017
Parks in the US and Australia are generally underutilised, and park visitors typically engage in low levels of physical activity (PA). Better understanding park features that may encourage visitors to be active is important. This study examined the perceived importance of park features for encouraging park-based PA and examined differences by sex, age, parental-status and participation in PA. Cross-sectional surveys were completed by local residents (n = 2775) living near two parks (2013/2015). Demographic variables, park visitation and leisure-time PA were self-reported, respondents rated the importance of 20 park features for encouraging park-based PA in the next fortnight. Chi-square tests of independence examined differences in importance of park features for PA among sub-groups of local residents (sex, age, parental-status, PA). Park features ranked most important for park-based PA were: well maintained (96.2%), feel safe (95.4%), relaxing atmosphere (91.2%), easy to get to (91...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2018
Parks can be an important, low-cost neighborhood resource to increase physical activity and reduce overweight and obesity. The quality of parks, however, may impact use. This study used observational data to examine the relationships between park quality, park usage and levels of physical activity among users in 31 parks within low-income, African American neighborhoods. Relationships between park use and park characteristics (signs of disorder, attractiveness, and number of activity settings) varied by gender and user activity level. No variables of interest were significant for overall number of male users; whereas, disorder and attractiveness were significant for overall number of female users. Parks with signs of disorder were associated with 49% fewer female users (IRR = 0.51, 95% CI = (0.34–0.77)) and attractive parks with 146% more female users (IRR = 2.46, 95% CI = (1.39–4.33)). Similar significant relationships were found among active but not sedentary female users. Communi...
The Role of Park Conditions and Features on Park Visitation and Physical Activity
Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2011
Background:Neighborhood parks play an important role in promoting physical activity. We examined the effect of activity area, condition, and presence of supporting features on number of park users and park-based physical activity levels.Methods:37 parks and 154 activity areas within parks were assessed during summer 2008 for their features and park-based physical activity. Outcomes included any park use, number of park users, mean and total energy expenditure. Independent variables included type and condition of activity area, supporting features, size of activity area, gender, and day of week. Multilevel models controlled for clustering of observations at activity area and park levels.Results:Type of activity area was associated with number of park users, mean and total energy expenditure, with basketball courts having the highest number of users and total energy expenditure, and playgrounds having the highest mean energy expenditure. Condition of activity areas was positively asso...
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2014
BackgroundParks are valuable resources for physical activity (PA) given their widespread availability and low cost to maintain and use. Both proximity to parks and the availability of particular features are important correlates of PA. However, few studies have explored multiple measures of proximity simultaneously or the specific facilities associated with park use and park-based PA among adults, let alone differences across socio-demographic characteristics. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between park proximity and park facilities and adults¿ park use and park-based PA, while also exploring differences by gender, age, race, and income.MethodsData on monthly park use and weekly amount of PA undertaken in parks were collected via a mail survey of adults from randomly-selected households (n¿=¿893) in Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) in 2010¿2011. Three measures of park proximity were calculated within 1 mile of participating households: distance to the closest park...