Park Access Affects Physical Activity

If you're a teenager in California who lives near a park, you're far more likely to exercise on a regular basis, according to a new study by UCLA researchers.

The report, issued by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, concluded that more than 44% of California youths who live in what is known as a park service area engage in one hour of exercise at least five days a week. The statewide average is 22%.

That number is a stark contrast to the current data, which indicates only 15% of California's teens engaged in one hour or more of physical activity daily in 2009 – the recommended guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That compares to 19% in 2007.

“There are perks to having a park nearby,” said Susan H. Babey, a senior research scientist at UCLA and the study's lead author. “And one of the biggest ones for teens seems to be physical activity. Having access to a welcoming green space makes it more likely that teenagers will get up and get moving.”

However, only one-quarter of the state's teens live in a park service area. And the perceived safety of the neighborhood park is a factor in whether the local youths use it. According to the data compiled via UCLA’s California Health Interview Survey, 16.1% of teens from low-income households considered their local parks unsafe, compared to 5.8% of those who reside in higher-income homes.

The study recommended creating joint use agreements with school districts to have them operate their playgrounds outside of school hours and on weekends, investing in more parks in low-income areas, and funding to improve existing parks infrastructure.