Background
Availability of parks is associated with higher levels of physical activity among
children and adolescents. Few studies examine actual park use and park-based physical
activity in these populations.
Purpose
This study examined associations among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental
characteristics and children's and adolescent's park-based physical activity.
Methods
Data were collected in 2007 on 2712 children in 20 randomly selected parks in Durham
NC. The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) provided
measures of physical activity. Hierarchic regression analysis assessed associations
among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental characteristics and children's
park-based physical activity. Data were analyzed in 2010.
Results
Of the 2712 children observed, 34.2% and 13.2% were engaged in walking or vigorous
physical activity. Environmental features of parks were associated with activity levels
whereas neighborhood characteristics were not. Physical activity was negatively associated
with gender (girls) (p=0.003); presence of a parent (p<0.0001); presence of nonparental adult (p=0.006); and an interaction involving the 0–5 years age group and style of play (p=0.017). Higher level of physical activity was associated with presence of other active
children (p<0.0001); courts (e.g., basketball); and an interaction between number of recreation
facilities and formal activities (p=0.004).
Conclusions
These social factors and design features should be considered in order to stimulate
higher levels of park-based physical activity among children and adolescents.
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© 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
