Availability of Recreational Resources and Physical Activity in a Sample of Adults
Ana V. Diez Roux 1*,Kelly R. Evenson 2,Aileen P. McGinn 2,Daniel G. Brown 1,Latetia Moore 1,Shannon Brines 1,David R. Jacobs 1
1 University of Michigan 2 University of North Carolina
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: adiezrou{at}umich.edu.
Abstract
Objectives. Using data from a large cohort of adults aged 45to 84 years-old, we investigated whether availability of recreationalresources is related to physical activity levels.
Methods. Datafrom a multiethnic sample of 2723 adult residents of New YorkCity, NY; Baltimore, Md; and Forsyth County, NC, were linkedto data on locations of recreational resources. We measuredthe availability (density) of resources within 0.5 (0.8 km),1, 2, and 5 mi of each participants residence and usedbinomial regression to investigate associations of density withphysical activity.
Results. After adjustment for potential confounders,individuals in the tertile of participants residing in areaswith the highest density of resources were more likely to reportphysical activity during a typical week than were individualsin the lowest tertile. Associations between availability ofrecreational resources and physical activity levels were notpresent for the smallest area assessed (0.5 mi) but were presentfor areas ranging from 1 to 5 mi. These associations were slightlystronger among minority and low-income residents.
Conclusions.Availability of resources may be 1 of several environmentalfactors that influence individuals physical activity behaviors.
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