Association of Parkland Proximity with Neighborhood and Park-based Physical Activity: Variations by Gender and Age

Authors: Kaczynski, Andrew¹; Potwarka, Luke²; Smale, Bryan²; Havitz, Mark²

Source: Leisure Sciences, Volume 31, Number 2, March 2009 , pp. 174-191(18)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This study examined how the number and total size of neighborhood parks within 1 kilometer (km) of participants' homes, as well as distance to the closest park, were associated with moderate-to-strenuous physical activity (MSPA) in three contexts: total, neighborhood-based, and park-based. Data were collected from 384 adults in a Canadian city. Each additional hectare of park area within 1 km increased the odds of participating in 150 or more minutes of total MSPA by 2% and each additional park increased the odds of participating in 150 or more minutes of neighborhood-based MSPA by 17% (p < .05). Living near more parks and parkland showed more positive relationships with activity among women than men, and among younger (18 to 34 years) and older (55+ years) adults.

Keywords: built environment; health; parks; physical activity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490400802686045

Affiliations: 1: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA 2: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

Publication date: 2009-03-01

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