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

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), 295-298. PMCID: PMC2962438

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

URL

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

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2010

Journal Title

Preventive Medicine

Author(s)

Boone-Heinonen, Janne
Casanova, Kathleen
Richardson, Andrea S.
Gordon-Larsen, Penny

PMCID

PMC2962438

ORCiD

Gordon-Larsen - 0000-0001-5322-4188
Boone - 0000-0002-0368-0545