title: Utility of the physical activity resource assessment for child-centric physical activity intervention planning in two urban neighborhoods.
abstract: Children's physical activity (PA) may be determined, in part, by environmental influences such as access to diverse and safe places to play. As part of the development of a community-based PA program, a PA asset assessment was conducted in two low-income urban neighborhoods that support elementary schools serving minority youth. Resources were rated using an adapted version of the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA), a multi-dimensional instrument that rates various venues on their features, amenities, and incivilities. Seventy-one child-centric venues (e.g., parks, playgrounds, community centers, sports facilities, fitness centers, etc.) were assessed within a three-mile radius of each school. Community member feedback via interviews with parent-child dyads revealed issues (e.g., bullying) not captured by the PARA that can influence venue use. Whereas the PARA can be a useful needs assessment and program planning tool for community-based PA programs, supplementing PARA data with community-based input may reduce contextual error in program development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. downs Blvd, MDC Box 56, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. rdebate@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Rita D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: DeBate
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Koby
authors.forename: Tamara E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Looney
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Trainor
authors.forename: Marissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zwald
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McDermott
mesh_terms: D058445:Bullying; D002648:Child; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D004779:Environment Design; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D009043:Motor Activity; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D011204:Poverty Areas; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population