Where Can They Play? Outdoor Spaces and Physical Activity among Adolescents in U.S. Urbanized Areas

Boone-Heinonen, Janne; Casanova, Kathleen; Richardson, Andrea S.; & Gordon-Larsen, Penny. (2010). Where Can They Play? Outdoor Spaces and Physical Activity among Adolescents in U.S. Urbanized Areas. Preventive Medicine, 51(3-4), 295-8. PMCID: PMC2962438

Reference Type:
Journal Article

Secondary Title:

Series Title:

Author(s):
Boone-Heinonen, Janne
Casanova, Kathleen
Richardson, Andrea S.
Gordon-Larsen, Penny

Editor(s):

Series Author(s):

Year Published:
2010

Date Published:

Journal Name:
Preventive Medicine

Volume Number:
51

Issue Number:
3-4

Start Page Number:
295-8

End Page Number:

Edition:

Series Volume:

Publisher:

City of Publication:

ISSN/ISBN:

DOI:
10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.07.013

PMCID:
PMC2962438

NIHMSID:

Reference ID:
4616

Miscellaneous:

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To estimate behavior-specific effects of several objectively measured outdoor spaces on different types of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a large, diverse sample of U.S. adolescents. METHODS: Using data from Wave I (1994-1995) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (U.S., n=10,359) and a linked geographic information system, we calculated percent greenspace coverage and distance to the nearest neighborhood and major parks. Using sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression, we modeled reported participation in wheel-based activities, active sports, exercise, and >/=5 MVPA bouts/week as a function of each outdoor space variable, controlling for individual- and neighborhood-level sociodemographics. RESULTS: Availability of major or neighborhood parks was associated with higher participation in active sports and, in females, wheel-based activity and reporting >/=5 MVPA bouts/week [OR (95% CI): up to 1.71 (1.29, 2.27)]. Greater greenspace coverage was associated with reporting >/=5 MVPA bouts/week in males and females [OR (95% CI): up to 1.62 (1.10, 2.39) for 10.1 to 20% versus </=10% greenspace] and exercise participation in females [OR (95% CI): up to 1.73 (1.21, 2.49)]. CONCLUSIONS: Provision of outdoor spaces may promote different types of physical activities, with potentially greater benefits in female adolescents, who have particularly low physical activity levels.

Keyword(s):
Place, Space, and Health

URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.07.013

Notes:

RIS Export File:
Octet Stream icon

4616.ris — Octet Stream, 1 kB (1,903 bytes)

Citation:

Boone-Heinonen, Janne; Casanova, Kathleen; Richardson, Andrea S.; & Gordon-Larsen, Penny. (2010). Where Can They Play? Outdoor Spaces and Physical Activity among Adolescents in U.S. Urbanized Areas. Preventive Medicine, 51(3-4), 295-8. PMCID: PMC2962438