Urban open space is an important infrastructure that provides residents with opportunities to participate in physical activity and promotes health. Because of the rapid urbanization, neighborhood park which play a important role in physical activity p...
Urban open space is an important infrastructure that provides residents with opportunities to participate in physical activity and promotes health. Because of the rapid urbanization, neighborhood park which play a important role in physical activity places have regional disparities. Recently, people use open spaces such as parks, playground, schoolyard for physical activity. Therefore, this study investigated open space using patterns for physical activity. It also examined an association between the characteristics of built environment on using open space and physical activity, health, obesity.
A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain information about open space use patterns such as frequency of visiting open space for physical activity, level of physical activity and health, demographics of residents including height and weight for calculating BMI. Also It surveyed about perceptions of neighborhood attributes. Neighborhood-based built environment variables were classified into accessibility to open space and neighborhood environment characteristics. Geographic information system(GIS) was used to construct spatial data regarding access to open space and the built environments of neighborhood across Changwon-si. Lineal regression models was used to examine the relationship between the characteristics of built environments and physical activity, health, obesity.
Type of open space used for physical activity was small park(41.2%), large park(33.8%) such as neighborhood park, school ground(9.6%) and so on. Most of respondents(30.2%) used open space twice a week and usually walked(76.3%) for physical activity in open space. Perceptions of neighborhood attributes were categorized into 'walking safety', 'attractiveness of walking', 'walking comfort', convenience of crossing road', 'environment of promoting exercise', 'convenience of walking'.
In individual variables, significant associations with physical activity were apparent for shortest distance to open space, number of open space entrance(200m). Ratio of residential area and night temperature were positively associated with open space-based physical activity, while high ratio of industrial area decreased likelihood of visiting open space for physical activity. Those who perceived there are many free facilities for exercise and leisure in neighborhood was likely to visit open space for physical activity(p<0.05). Regarding level of health, number of open space(200m, 400m, 600m, 800m), size and type of open space, positive perception on sidewalk and crosswalk were significant predictor. Significant association with BMI were apparent for number of open space and park(400m). Those who perceived their neighborhood as safe pedestrian environment were likely to have lower BMI(p<0.1).
The linear regression model was developed to explain the influence of built environment in demographics and built environment level. The R² of full model on physical activity was '16.5%'(adj. R²= 12.4%), influence of built environment was '3.6%'. Built environment had a effect on health recognition(3.6%), and the total R² was 18.5%(adj. R²= 13.9%). The total R² on BMI was 21.4%(adj. R2= 17.7%), built environments explained BMI '2.2%'.
This study is focused on associations neighborhood-based built environment on using open space and physical activity, health, obesity to promote physical activity and make more healthier community. Findings from this study will help urban planners, designers, policy makers, researchers to design healthy neighborhood environments to promote using open space for physical activity and health of residents.