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

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

Notes

∗Indicates odds ratio significant at the .05 level for predicting membership in higher physical activity group.

∗Indicates odds ratio significant at the .05 level for predicting membership in higher physical activity group.

∗Iindicates odds ratio significant at the .05 level for predicting membership in higher physical activity group.