title: The Relationship Between Self-Rated Health and Use of Parks and Participation in Recreation Programs, United States, 1991 and 2015.
abstract: We examined the relationship between self-rated health and use of parks and recreation program participation by using logistic regression to analyze data from representative national surveys conducted in 1991 and 2015. Neither park use nor program participation were significantly related to self-rated health in 1991; however, both were significantly related in 2015. The growing relationship between use of parks and recreation programs and self-rated health during this period is likely the result of broad national health promotion efforts and provides support for funding of capital and operational expenses for park and recreation services.
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, 801 Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802. Email: nap5045@psu.edu.
authors.forename: Nicholas A D
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Pitas
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, University Park, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Austin G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, University Park, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mowen
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, University Park, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Graefe
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, University Park, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Geoffrey C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Godbey
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Sciamanna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068316:Parks, Recreational; D011634:Public Health; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult