title: Correlates of park-based physical activity among children in diverse communities: results from an observational study in two cities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined correlates of park-based physical activity (PA) among children in neighborhood parks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct observation was used to assess PA among children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public parks in Tampa, Florida (n=10), and Chicago, Illinois (n=18), from low income and high income and racially/ethnically diverse communities. Subjects. Children (n=3410), coded as anyone who appeared to be 10 years or younger, observed at parks in Tampa and Chicago.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity was measured by a modified version of the System for Observing Play and Leisure Among Youth (SOPLAY).
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and multilevel regression models were used in data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the activity observation level, children's PA was positively related to temperature and unstructured activities in Tampa and Chicago parks. Among park activity area predictors, type of activity area was significantly related to PA. In Tampa, more PA was observed on courts, and less PA was observed in shelter areas compared with open space areas. In Chicago, less PA was observed on courts and fields compared with open space areas. Neighborhood income was associated with lower PA in Tampa parks. Neighborhood race/ethnicity was not a significant predictor of children's PA in either city.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children's PA was linked to modifiable social and environmental features within parks. Strategies to increase PA among children in parks should promote courts, playgrounds, informal activities, and free play.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, PO Box 118208, Gainesville, FL 32611-8208, USA. spengler@hhp.ufl.edu
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Spengler
authors.forename: Myron F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Floyd
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Maddock
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Gobster
authors.forename: Luis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Suau
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Norman
mesh_terms: D002641:Chicago; D002648:Child; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D019370:Observation; D011633:Public Facilities; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors