Open AccessNeighborhood built environment impacts park use of diverse, low-income mothers and their children
Author(s) -
Lauren E. Mullenbach,
Lincoln R. Larson,
Myron F. Floyd,
Oriol Marquet,
Jing-Huei Huang,
Claudia Alberico,
Aaron Hipp
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of healthy eating and active living
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2766-4651
DOI - 10.51250/jheal.v1i3.16
Subject(s) - walkability , built environment , low income , level design , perception , environmental health , geography , population , occupational safety and health , gerontology , socioeconomics , medicine , psychology , sociology , engineering , civil engineering , pathology , human–computer interaction , game design , neuroscience , computer science
Built environment features, including parks, often exacerbate health disparities. We examined built environment perceptions and park use among a population at high risk for physical health outcomes: racially diverse, low-income mothers across the United States. Perceived safety from crime and living near a park were associated with more frequent park use for mothers and their children, and neighborhood walkability was linked to longer park visits. However, only 40% of mothers lived within a ten-minute walk from a park, and perceptions of walkability and safety from crime were low. To enhance physical activity and health of low-income mothers and their children, investments are needed to close disparities in park access and improve neighborhood safety.