Green space and physical activity: An observational study using Health Survey for England data

Past studies have suggested that a link between health outcomes and green space is due to increased levels of physical activity of individuals living in areas with more green space. We found a positive association between green space and physical activity levels. The odds of achieving the recommended amount of physical activity was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.13–1.44) for people living in the greenest quintile in England compared to those living in the least green quintile, after controlling for individual and environmental factors. However, no association was found between green space and types of physical activity normally associated with green space. An association was found with other types of physical activity (gardening and do-it-yourself, and occupational physical activity). These findings suggest that although there is a positive association between physical activity and green space it may not be explained by individuals using green space for recreation.

[1]  L. Epstein,et al.  Association of access to parks and recreational facilities with the physical activity of young children. , 2006, Preventive medicine.

[2]  R. Rhodes,et al.  Trends and changes in research on the psychology of physical activity across 20 years: a quantitative analysis of 10 journals. , 2011, Preventive medicine.

[3]  Karen Witten,et al.  Neighbourhood access to open spaces and the physical activity of residents: a national study. , 2008, Preventive medicine.

[4]  B. Giles-Corti,et al.  Socioeconomic status differences in recreational physical activity levels and real and perceived access to a supportive physical environment. , 2002, Preventive medicine.

[5]  M Hillsdon,et al.  The relationship between access and quality of urban green space with population physical activity. , 2006, Public health.

[6]  E. Fitzhugh,et al.  The Relationships between Weather-Related Factors and Daily Outdoor Physical Activity Counts on an Urban Greenway , 2010, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[7]  B. Giles-Corti,et al.  Increasing walking: how important is distance to, attractiveness, and size of public open space? , 2005, American journal of preventive medicine.

[8]  S. Cummins,et al.  Does greener mean thinner? Associations between neighbourhood greenspace and weight status among adults in England , 2012, International Journal of Obesity.

[9]  J. Sallis,et al.  Ecological models of health behavior. , 2008 .

[10]  A. Alwan.  Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. , 2011 .

[11]  L. Epstein,et al.  Reducing Sedentary Behavior , 2006, Psychological science.

[12]  Takemi Sugiyama,et al.  Associations between recreational walking and attractiveness, size, and proximity of neighborhood open spaces. , 2010, American journal of public health.

[13]  Andy P. Jones,et al.  Objective measures of the environment and physical activity--results of the environment and physical activity study in English adults. , 2009, Journal of physical activity & health.

[14]  R. Mitchell,et al.  Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: an observational population study , 2008, The Lancet.

[15]  Andrew P. Jones,et al.  The relationship of physical activity and overweight to objectively measured green space accessibility and use. , 2010, Social science & medicine.

[16]  S. P. Akpabio.  World Health Organisation , 1983, British Dental Journal.

[17]  K. Glanz,et al.  Health behavior and health education : theory, research, and practice , 1991 .

[18]  M. Pratt,et al.  Characteristics of the built environment associated with leisure-time physical activity among adults in Bogotá, Colombia: a multilevel study. , 2010, Journal of physical activity & health.

[19]  A. Bauman,et al.  Understanding environmental influences on walking; Review and research agenda. , 2004, American journal of preventive medicine.

[20]  C. Foster,et al.  Age-related differences in physical activity profiles of English adults. , 2011, Preventive medicine.

[21]  Jolanda Maas,et al.  Physical activity as a possible mechanism behind the relationship between green space and health: A multilevel analysis , 2008, BMC public health.

[22]  A. Jones,et al.  Greenspace and obesity: a systematic review of the evidence , 2011, Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity.