Environmental and Social Determinants of Youth Physical Activity Intensity Levels at Neighborhood Parks in Las Vegas, NV

Abstract

Parks can play an important role in youth activity. This study used observational data to evaluate the relationship of environmental and social determinants to youth physical activity intensity levels in Las Vegas neighborhood parks. System for observing play and leisure activity in youth was used to code activity levels as sedentary, walking, or vigorous in five low-income and five high-income parks. Environmental determinants included amenities, incivilities, size, high-speed streets, sidewalk condition, and temperature. Social determinants included percent minority and Hispanic, gender, and income. A multinomial logistic regression model was performed. We observed 1,421 youth, 59% male, 41% female; 21% were sedentary, 38% walking, and 41% vigorous. Males were more likely to be observed walking (OR 1.42) and vigorous (OR 2.21) when compared to sedentary. High-speed streets (OR 0.76), sidewalks condition (OR 0.34), and low-income neighborhoods (OR 0.07) was associated with decreased odds of vigorous activity; incivilities (OR 1.34) and amenities (OR 1.27) were associated with greater odds of being vigorous. Environmental and social determinants are associated with physical activity intensity levels at parks. Stakeholders should ensure quality parks, as they relate to physical activity levels in youth. Understanding environmental and social determinants that influence physical activity at parks is critical to utilizing their full potential in an effort to combat childhood obesity.

Social and Environmental Factors Related to Boys’ and Girls’ Park-Based Physical Activity

“…Methods used in the current study precluded assessment of relationships among children. The findings are nevertheless consistent with studies that show friendships among adolescents are strong predictors of their physical activity levels (9). Presence of parents was associated with a lower likelihood of increased activity among children and adolescents with a stronger negative trend observed among girls.…”

“…Interventions can target multiple scales (ie, neighborhoods, parks, and areas within parks). In light of data from earlier studies (6–9), these findings suggest that activity areas within parks can be the focus of environmental or policy change.…”

“…Improvements and renovations in parks (6) and school playgrounds (7) have been associated with increased park-based physical activity among children. Although studies have shown there are sex differences among youth park-based physical activity (8), research examining such differences in the context of social and environmental factors such as parental supervision and other children is limited (9). …”

Park characteristics, use, and physical activity: A review of studies using SOPARC (System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities)

“…The earliest study initiated observations in 2003 (McKenzie et al, 2006), when the SOPARC method was created, and the latest study started observations in 2013 (Roemmich and Johnson, 2014). While all studies employed SOPARC observational techniques, two studies referred to using SOPLAY (an earlier version of SOPARC) (Coughenour et al, 2014; Floyd et al, 2008a). …”

“…In terms of park users, one study reported observing adults only (Reed et al, 2008) and two reported observing youths only (Coughenour et al, 2014; Floyd et al, 2011; Reed and Hooker, 2012). Several other studies modified the age categories by combining teenagers with adults (< = 12 years and > = 13 years) (Chung-Do et al, 2011; Floyd et al, 2008a) and two studies combined all youths, not distinguishing younger and older youths (Child et al, 2014; McCormack et al, 2014).…”