Neighborhood park access and park characteristics are associated with weight status in youth.

Creator(s)

Qianxia Jiang, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Jordan A. Carlson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Andrew T. Kaczynski
Robin P. Shook, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Gina M. Besenyi
Chelsea Steel, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Mallory Moon, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Sarah Hampl, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Sonja Wilhelm Stanis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103116

Abstract

This study investigated park access and park quality in the context of childhood obesity. Participants were 20,638 children ages 6-17y from a large primary care health system. Analyses tested associations of park access and park characteristics with children's weight status, and sociodemographic interactions. Both park access and the quality of nearest park were associated with a lower odds of having obesity. Park quality interacted with age, sex, and income. Findings suggest park access is important for supporting a healthy weight in children. Park quality may be most important among 12-14-year-olds, girls, and higher income groups.

Journal Title

Health & place

Volume

83

First Page

103116

Last Page

103116

MeSH Keywords

Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Pediatric Obesity; Health Status; Income

Keywords

Childhood obesity; Park access; Park quality

Recommended Citation

Jiang Q, Carlson JA, Kaczynski AT, et al. Neighborhood park access and park characteristics are associated with weight status in youth. Health Place. 2023;83:103116. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103116