The relationship between tree canopy and social capital on physical activity in college students

Abstract

Objective

Rates of physical activity (PA) are low, especially among college students. Tree canopy and social capital have been correlated with higher rates of PA. This study assessed the relationship between tree canopy and social capital on minutes of PA.

Participants

Students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, located in Southern Nevada, were surveyed on social capital and self-reported minutes of PA.

Methods

Tree canopy coverage was calculated within a 1 km walk buffer around each participant’s home. Logistic regression was used to determine if tree canopy and social capital predicted meeting PA recommendations of 150 minutes/week.

Results

42.4% of participants met the PA recommendations and males were more likely than females to meet them (odds ratio [OR] = 0.517). Social capital was a significant predictor of PA (OR = 1.308) while tree canopy was not.

Conclusions

Exploration of social capital to increase PA and further investigations into correlates of PA for college students in sprawling desert environments are recommended.

Keywords:

• Built environment
• green space
• physical activity
• social capital
• tree canopy

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.