Neighborhood land use diversity and physical activity in adjacent parks (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Health Geographics, 2013
Background: Public parks can be an important setting for physical activity promotion, but to increase park use and the activity levels of park users, the crucial attributes related to active park use need to be defined. Not only user characteristics and structural park attributes, but also characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood are important to examine. Furthermore, internationally comparable studies are needed, to find out if similar intervention strategies might be effective worldwide. The main aim of this study was to examine whether the overall number of park visitors and their activity levels depend on study site, neighborhood walkability and neighborhood income. Methods: Data were collected in 20 parks in Ghent, Belgium and San Diego, USA. Two trained observers systematically coded park characteristics using the Environmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces (EAPRS) tool, and park user characteristics using the System for Observing Play and recreation in Communities (SOPARC) tool. Multilevel multiple regression models were conducted in MLwiN 2.25.
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 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...
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.
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.
The significance of parks to physical activity and public health:: A conceptual model
American Journal of Preventive …, 2005
Park-based physical activity is a promising means to satisfy current physical activity requirements. However, there is little research concerning what park environmental and policy characteristics might enhance physical activity levels. This study proposes a conceptual model to guide thinking and suggest hypotheses. This framework describes the relationships between park benefits, park use, and physical activity, and the antecedents/correlates of park use. In this classification scheme, the discussion focuses on park environmental characteristics that could be related to physical activity, including park features, condition, access, aesthetics, safety, and policies. Data for these categories should be collected within specific geographic areas in or around the park, including activity areas, supporting areas, the overall park, and the surrounding neighborhood. Future research should focus on how to operationalize specific measures and methodologies for collecting data, as well as measuring associations between individual physical activity levels and specific park characteristics. Collaboration among many disciplines is needed. (Am J Prev Med 2005;28(2S2):159 -168)
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...
Why neighborhood park proximity is not associated with total physical activity
Health & place, 2018
This study explored how parks within the home neighborhood contribute to total physical activity (PA) by isolating park-related PA. Seattle-area adults (n = 634) were observed using time-matched accelerometer, Global Positioning System (GPS), and travel diary instruments. Of the average 42.3 min of daily total PA, only 11% was related to parks. Both home neighborhood park count and area were associated with park-based PA, but not with PA that occurred elsewhere, which comprised 89% of total PA. This study demonstrates clear benefits of neighborhood parks for contributing to park-based PA while helping explain why proximity to parks is rarely associated with overall PA.