Promoting Youth’s Physical Activity through Park Design: Linking Theory and Practice in a Public Health Perspective

Abstract

Young people are increasingly prone to physical inactivity, which may have severe negative effects on their health in adulthood. The aim of this literature review was to identify components and characteristics of parks that have an effect on youth physical activity, and to discuss how these findings can be applied in park design. The results show that access to green space is the most frequently reported predictor of park use among youth. The review identified a range of characteristics and components of urban green spaces important to youth physical activity. These include sports fields/facilities for movement, walkways and paths, shadow and shelter, trees, water elements, maintenance, renovation, form and size, openness, naturalness and safety. The study identifies some shortcomings in the currently available literature on the topic. Studies investigating the importance of specific park components and characteristics are few, and youth is an understudied age group.

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

“…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).…”

Green space benefits for health and well-being: A life-course approach for urban planning, design and management

“…Increased neighbourhood vegetation associated with decreased risk for overweight children. (Lovasi et al, 2013) Adolescence A particular focus on adolescents is considered important, as this group is not only increasingly prone to physical inactivity, but studies have also shown that people are more likely to be physically active as adults if they were physically active in their late teens (Anderssen & Andersen, 2004;Gardsjord, Tveit, & Nordh, 2014). It is hence important to protect, develop and design urban green spaces with qualities that facilitate and promote physical activity in adolescence.…”

Effects of Urban Green Space on Environmental Health, Equity and Resilience

“…Numerous studies in multiple countries have demonstrated that recreational walking, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time were associated with access to, and use of green space in working age adults, children and senior citizens (Epstein et al 2006;Kaczynski and Henderson 2007;Kaczynski et al 2008;Sugiyama and Ward Thompson 2008;Cochrane et al 2009;Almanza et al 2012;Lachowycz et al 2012;Astell-Burt et al 2013;Schipperijn et al 2013;Lachowycz and Jones 2014;Sugiyama et al 2014;Gardsjord et al 2014;James et al 2015;Sallis et al 2016). Almanza et al (2012) used satellite images and GPS and accelerometer data from children in several communities in California, the United States to demonstrate that increased residential greenness was positively associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity.…”