Journal Article

Contribution of Public Parks to Physical Activity

Cohen, Deborah A, Lurie, Nicole, Sehgal, Amber, Golinelli, Daniela, McKenzie, Thomas L, Williamson, Stephanie

2007

Overview

Objectives. Parks provide places for people to experience nature, engage in physical activity, and relax. We studied how residents in low-income, minority communities use public, urban neighborhood parks and how parks contribute to physical activity. Methods. In 8 public parks, we used direct observation to document the number, gender, race/ethnicity, age group, and activity level of park users 4 times per day, 7 days per week. We also interviewed 713 park users and 605 area residents living within 2 miles of each park. Results. On average, over 2000 individuals were counted in each park, and about two thirds were sedentary when observed. More males than females used the parks, and males were twice as likely to be vigorously active. Interviewees identified the park as the most common place they exercised. Both park use and exercise levels of individuals were predicted by proximity of their residence to the park. Conclusions. Public parks are critical resources for physical activity in minority communities. Because residential proximity is strongly associated with physical activity and park use, the number and location of parks are currently insufficient to serve local populations well.

• Publisher: Am Public Health Assoc,American Public Health Association,American Journal of Public Health 2007
• Subject: Activity level / Adolescent / Adult / Age groups / Aged / Attitude to Health - ethnology / Biological and medical sciences / Child / Chronic illnesses / Energy Metabolism - physiology / Environmental economics / Ethnicity / Exercise / Exercise - physiology / Female / Fitness Centers - statistics & numerical data / Fitness Centers - supply & distribution / Gender / Humans / Interviews / Interviews as Topic / Local population / Los Angeles / Low income areas / Low income groups / Male / Medical sciences / Metabolism / Middle Aged / Minority & ethnic groups / Minority groups / Minority Groups - psychology / Miscellaneous / Motor Activity - physiology / National parks / Neighborhoods / Older people / Parks & recreation areas / Physical activity / Physical fitness / Poverty / Proximity / Public Facilities - statistics & numerical data / Public health / Public health. Hygiene / Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine / Race / Recreation - physiology / Recreation - psychology / Research and Practice / Residence Characteristics - classification / Residential proximity / Residents / Sedentary / Sedentary behavior / Senior citizen centers / Urban areas / Urban Health - statistics & numerical data / Walking