County-level effects of green space access on physical activity

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Green spaces are crucial for supporting recreational physical activity.
• Previous research on the impact of green space access on physical activity has yielded inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the quantity and proximity of green space and physical activity levels.
• To examine county-level associations between green space metrics and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Florida.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing geographical information system (GIS) data.
• Analysis of 67 Florida counties, correlating green space availability and distance with self-reported MVPA.
• Population-weighted measures based on census tracts.

Main Results:

• A positive association was found between the overall amount of green space in a county and MVPA.
• Increased MVPA levels correlated with greater amounts of green space within 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, and 1 mile of residences.
• Distance to the nearest green space and green space availability at 10 miles showed no significant association with MVPA.

Conclusions:

• Green space accessibility, particularly within a 1-mile radius of homes, is associated with higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity.
• Proximity appears to be a key factor in leveraging green spaces for physical activity promotion.