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The Relationships between Park Quality, Park Usage, and Levels of Physical Activity in Low-Income, African American Neighborhoods

Author

Listed:
  • Megan Knapp

    (Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Jeanette Gustat

    (Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Revonda Darensbourg

    (Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Leann Myers

    (Department of Global Biostatistics and Data Science, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Carolyn Johnson

    (Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

Abstract

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. Communities may consider increasing park maintenance and addressing attractiveness in existing parks as a relatively low-cost environmental strategy to encourage park use, increase physical activity, and reduce the burden of obesity, especially among women in low-income, African-American communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan Knapp & Jeanette Gustat & Revonda Darensbourg & Leann Myers & Carolyn Johnson, 2018. "The Relationships between Park Quality, Park Usage, and Levels of Physical Activity in Low-Income, African American Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:85-:d:193983
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sallis, J.F. & Conway, T.L. & Prochaska, J.J. & McKenzie, T.L. & Marshall, S.J. & Brown, M., 2001. "The association of school environments with youth physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(4), pages 618-620.
    2. Brownson, R.C. & Baker, E.A. & Housemann, R.A. & Brennan, L.K. & Bacak, S.J., 2001. "Environmental and policy determinants of physical activity in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(12), pages 1995-2003.
    3. Burdette, Amy M. & Hill, Terrence D., 2008. "An examination of processes linking perceived neighborhood disorder and obesity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 38-46, July.
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    1. Marie-Soleil Cloutier & Mojgan Rafiei & Lambert Desrosiers-Gaudette & Zeinab AliYas, 2022. "An Examination of Child Pedestrian Rule Compliance at Crosswalks around Parks in Montreal, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, October.

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