What are the factors associated with neighborhood park visits and health in Alabama? A cross-sectional study using a path model

ABSTRACT

This study seeks to examine the effect of the characteristics of park users, park characteristics, and the neighborhood environment on park visits and the resultant perceived health status of residents living in Alabama, US. One hundred and eighty-nine participants, representing residents from 49 counties in Alabama, were recruited via a random-digit dial method to complete a telephone survey related to park visits. Data collection spanned 11 months. Results from the path analysis indicated a few significant direct effects: park location and body mass index (BMI) were the only two factors significantly associated with park visits, with race being marginally significant; and work status was significantly associated with perceived health. Our findings suggest park proximity, and high BMI are related to park visits and work status is related to perceived health among Alabamians. It is recommended that more neighborhood parks are needed for promoting Alabamians to visit them more frequently.

KEYWORDS:

• Neighborhood parks
• park visits
• path analysis
• perceived health status

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Researcher’s Omnibus Survey Award (ROSA) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health Center for the Study of Community Health, a CDC-designated Prevention Research Center.