Urban Park Systems: A Conceptual Model of How Low Accessibility to Parks Can Create Obesity Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
Urban Park Systems:
A Conceptual Model of How Low Accessibility to Parks Can Create Obesity
The characteristics of urban parks function as influential factors in physical activity
behavior by place (neighborhoods) and by person (park user). Examining the
relationship of the neighborhood and park user is instrumental to identifying
barriers to increased physical activity. A conceptual model is proposed using two
key dimensions of access that are important to understanding parks in the
neighborhood environment: availability and proximity. Both dimensions are shown
to be associated with increased park use and physical activity levels. The
prevalence of people participating in some kind of outdoor recreation in the U.S.
continues to be high. Unfortunately, an overwhelming portion of park users exhibit
sedentary behaviors when in parks. Disparities in health related resources, such as
parks, among urban populations are documented and show spatial clustering of
resources by race and ethnicity. Accessibility of parks and park services predict
park visitation, the first requirement of increased park‐based physical activity.
Building on the evolution of park design, structural park characteristics within
parks are integral to increasing physical activity levels among park users.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Health and Physical Activity

1

Obesity in America

2

What is Physical Activity?

7

Increased Sedentary Lifestyles

9

Costs of Disease

15

Chapter 2 Healthy Places, Healthy People

17

Neighborhoods and Health

19

Contextual Influences on Obesity

22

Chapter 3 Urban Parks

26

A Brief History of Urban Parks

30

Urban Parks Today

40

Chapter 4 Urban Parks and Physical Activity

43

Parks and Active Living

45

Accessibility

46

Characteristics of Park Users

56

Disparities in Park Access by Race and Income

58

Conclusion

63

References

67

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Physical Activity Obesity Parks
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Cooper, Hannah, Emory University
Committee Members	Ogden, Lydia L, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

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