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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Original Article

Perceptions of Neighborhood Park Quality: Associations with Physical Activity and Body Mass Index

Authors: Hua Bai, M.S., Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Ph.D., Andrew T. Kaczynski, Ph.D., Gina M. Besenyi, M.P.H.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Special Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Parks are important resources for physical activity (PA), yet few studies have examined how perceptions of park characteristics relate to PA and health.

Purpose

This study investigated associations between perceptions of neighborhood park quality and overall moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), park-based PA, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Data were collected via questionnaire from 893 households in Kansas City, Missouri.

Results

The newly developed neighborhood park quality scale demonstrated good test–retest and internal reliability. Residents’ perceptions of neighborhood park quality were related to PA and health outcomes. Perceiving parks as a benefit was positively related to overall MVPA and park-based PA and negatively related to BMI. Perceptions of well-used parks were positively related to BMI, while perceived cleanliness was negatively related to park-based PA.

Conclusions

Better measuring and understanding how perceptions of local parks are associated with PA and health can improve appreciation of how parks facilitate active living.
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Metadata
Title
Perceptions of Neighborhood Park Quality: Associations with Physical Activity and Body Mass Index
Authors
Hua Bai, M.S.
Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Ph.D.
Andrew T. Kaczynski, Ph.D.
Gina M. Besenyi, M.P.H.
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue Special Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9448-4

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