Public open spaces and physical activity: disparities of resources in Florianópolis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics of census tracts and the presence/quality of public open spaces and physical activity facilities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 643 census tracts in Florianópolis, Brazil, the presence and quality of public open spaces and physical activity facilities were objectively analyzed and the data by census tracts using Geographic Information Systems was treated. Outcomes were analyzed considering the census tracts as having: ≥ 1 public open spaces; ≥ 1 public open spaces with high quality; ≥ 2 physical activity facilities and high-quality physical activity facilities. Sociodemographic characteristics were the independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Census tracts with a medium-income (OR = 1.8; 95%CI 1.1–3.0) and high-income (OR = 2.4; 95%CI 1.4–4.0), in those with medium (OR = 1.7; 95%CI 1.0–2.7) and high residential density (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1,2–3.3), and with higher proportions of older adults (OR = 3.3; 95%CI 1.9–5.7) had a higher proportion of public open spaces. Census tracts with higher proportions of children/adolescents (OR = 0.3; 95%CI 0.2–0.6) and non-white residents (OR= 0.6; 95%CI 0.3–0.9) were less likely to contain public open spaces. The tracts with medium (OR = 4.0; 95%CI 1.4–11.3) and high-income (OR = 3.6; 95%CI 1.2–10.2) were more likely to contain public open spaces with ≥ 2 structures for physical activity, compared with those with low-income. We observed the inverse in sectors with a high proportion of non-white residents (OR = 0.3; 95%CI 0.1–0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Census tracts with higher proportions of children or adolescents, non-white individuals and those in the low-income strata had lower odds of containing public open spaces and physical activity facilities.

Association of public physical activity facilities and participation in community programs with leisure-time physical activity: does the association differ according to educational level and income?

“…Considering the context of inequalities in leisure-time PA and the more decisive role of public PA facilities and participation in public PA programs, it is noteworthy that a higher proportion of people in the highest quintile of educational level and income reported the presence of public PA facilities near the household. This finding is consistent with previous Brazilian finding [ 20 ] as well as from other countries [ 21 ] and underscore the urgent need to address disparity and inequality in presence of PA facilities in low-income areas and disadvantaged regions of Brazil.…”

Fatores associados ao conhecimento de locais públicos de esporte e lazer nas capitais brasileiras

“…Os espaços públicos abertos e instalações de atividade física se distribuem de forma desigual nas cidades, com menor frequência em áreas de baixo nível socioeconômico, maior densidade residencial e menor proporção de idosos 9,13,29,30 . Assim como os parques ur-banos, que apesar de terem uma distribuição dispersa dentro das cidades, os parques com equipamentos de maior qualidade e melhor manutenção têm sidos instalados em locais de renda mais alta 25 .…”

“…Os estudos sobre a temática têm avaliado a presença de locais públicos de lazer à uma distância próxima da residência 4 , os tipos de estruturas existentes 5,6 , características do ambiente construído no entorno desses locais 3 , a disponibilidade de equipamentos 3,7,6 , a qualidade dos espaços 8 ou a percepção em relação ao uso 9,10 , como segurança, acessibilidade e condições das estruturas.…”

“…Nesse sentido, os espaços públicos tradicionais das cidades podem influenciar na vida ativa da população 1,12,13 . Entretanto, o uso desses locais pelos indivíduos sofre a influência de variáveis, tais como: idade, sexo, nível econômico, localização e distribuição dentro da cidade, estrutura apresentada, condições de limpeza, manutenção, estética e trânsito 7,9,6 .…”

“…As condições de acesso e as oportunidades de atividades de lazer são desigualmente distribuídas no território e entre grupos sociais 7,9,[18][19][20] . Os estudos realizados no Brasil sobre a temática se limitam a cidades específicas 7 , contrapondo a proposta aqui abordada, que busca identificar os diferenciais socioespaciais existentes no território brasileiro.…”