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Association between Natural Resources for Outdoor Activities and Physical Inactivity: Results from the Contiguous United States

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Listed:
  • Yan Jiang

    (USEPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 109 T. W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

  • Yongping Yuan

    (USEPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 109 T. W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

  • Anne Neale

    (USEPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 109 T. W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

  • Laura Jackson

    (USEPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 109 T. W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

  • Megan Mehaffey

    (USEPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 109 T. W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

Abstract

Protected areas including national/state parks and recreational waters are excellent natural resources that promote physical activity and interaction with Nature, which can relieve stress and reduce disease risk. Despite their importance, however, their contribution to human health has not been properly quantified. This paper seeks to evaluate quantitatively how national/state parks and recreational waters are associated with human health and well-being, taking into account of the spatial dependence of environmental variables for the contiguous U.S., at the county level. First, we describe available natural resources for outdoor activities (ANROA), using national databases that include features from the Protected Areas Database, NAVSTREETS, and ATTAINSGEO 305(b) Waters. We then use spatial regression techniques to explore the association of ANROA and socioeconomic status factors on physical inactivity rates. Finally, we use variance analysis to analyze ANROA’s influence on income-related health inequality. We found a significantly negative association between ANROA and the rate of physical inactivity: ANROA and the spatial effect explained 69%, nationwide, of the variation in physical inactivity. Physical inactivity rate showed a strong spatial dependence—influenced not only by its own in-county ANROA, but also by that of its neighbors ANROA. Furthermore, community groups at the same income level and with the highest ANROA, always had the lowest physical inactivity rate. This finding may help to guide future land use planning and community development that will benefit human health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Jiang & Yongping Yuan & Anne Neale & Laura Jackson & Megan Mehaffey, 2016. "Association between Natural Resources for Outdoor Activities and Physical Inactivity: Results from the Contiguous United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:8:p:830-:d:76162
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Won Kim, Chong & Phipps, Tim T. & Anselin, Luc, 2003. "Measuring the benefits of air quality improvement: a spatial hedonic approach," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 24-39, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Teresa Romanillos & Roser Maneja & Diego Varga & Llorenç Badiella & Martí Boada, 2018. "Protected Natural Areas: In Sickness and in Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Steven Baker & Melinda Gilhen-Baker & Giovanni N. Roviello, 2022. "The Role of Nutrition and Forest-Bathing in the Physical Rehabilitation of Physically Inactive Patients: From the Molecular Aspects to New Nature-Inspired Techniques," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.

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