The Health Benefits of Parks among Older Adults in Atlanta Open Access

Abstract

Background: Parks have the potential to serve as free or low cost venues for physical activity for older adults. They also provide contact with green environments and serve as places to increase social capital, both of which have been linked to positive health outcomes. The goal of this study is to investigate relationships between health and park use for older adults.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of 207 older adults (age 50 and older) recruited during the Neighborhood Parks and Active Living (NPAL) project. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2006 in 11 study parks in Atlanta, Georgia. Park users (PUs) were matched to non-users (PNs) within catchment areas for each study park. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographics, park use, health, and
time spent being physically active. Additionally, physical activity was objectively measured through accelerometers. Models were built to calculate the odds ratios for various physical activity and health outcomes comparing PUs and PNs.

Results: Being male, having a higher education level, having fewer limiting health conditions, owning a dog, or having a child less than 10 years old in the house was associated with being a park user (p-value: <0.05). The prevalence odds of reaching higher levels of physical activity were higher for PUs compared to PNs for most measures of physical activity. The prevalence odds of reporting a higher number of diagnosed conditions were significantly lower for PUs when controlling for physical activity.

Discussion: For most measures of physical activity, a positive association was found between park use and physical activity. While self-reported health, depression, and cardiovascular disease were not significantly associated with park use, park users reported fewer diagnosed conditions.

Conclusion and Significance: Our findings suggest that using parks is related to higher levels of physical activity and better health for older adults. Thus, parks may play a significant role in supporting active living and increasing the quality of life of older individuals, as well as reducing the health care burden of this generation.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................... 1

Older Adults................................................................................................................... 1
Park Use and Access........................................................................................................ 1
Physical Activity.............................................................................................................. 2
Green Space .................................................................................................................. 4
Social Capital ................................................................................................................. 5
Future Directions ............................................................................................................ 6

Goal and Scope .............................................................................................................. 8
Aims.............................................................................................................................. 8
Hypotheses..................................................................................................................... 8

Methods................................................................................................................................. 9

Study Design................................................................................................................... 9
Study Population.............................................................................................................. 9
Recruitment..................................................................................................................... 9
Survey .......................................................................................................................... 11
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................. 13

Results................................................................................................................................... 15

Sample Characteristics...................................................................................................... 15
Stepwise Model................................................................................................................ 16
Physical Activity............................................................................................................... 17
Health............................................................................................................................ 18

Discussion............................................................................................................................... 19

Sample Characteristics....................................................................................................... 19
Physical Activity................................................................................................................ 22
Health............................................................................................................................. 23
Strengths ........................................................................................................................ 24
Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 24

Conclusion and Significance.......................................................................................................... 25
References................................................................................................................................ 25
Appendix................................................................................................................................... 37

Tables.............................................................................................................................. 37
Internal Review Board Approval ............................................................................................ 44
Survey ............................................................................................................................ 45

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Environmental Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	CVD depression green space older adults parks cardiovascular disease aging accelerometer health physical activity seniors self-reported
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Rutt, Candace Dawn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Strickland, Matthew J, Emory University
Committee Members	Tolbert, Paige, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Emory University schools, faculty or affiliated programs CDC

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