Physical activity locations in Georgia: Frequency of use by socio-demographic group

Active outdoor recreation helps to mitigate health consequences associated with sedentary behavior. Enhanced understanding of socio-demographic differences in physical activity (PA) location preferences could therefore contribute to health promotion. This study examined frequency of use for various PA locations in Georgia, a state with historically high levels of physical inactivity and obesity. Data were collected via intercept surveys of visitors to state parks (n=761) and flea markets near the parks (n=234). According to these self-reports, homes and backyards were used most frequently for PA followed by neighborhood settings. State parks and gyms or recreation centers were used less frequently than other recreation settings. Latinos relied more on parks and less on homes/backyards for PA than others groups. African Americans and Asians used gyms or recreation centers more often than other groups. Development of built environments that promote active living should account for PA location choices across diverse communities.Management implicationsPhysical activity is widely recognized as key element of health promotion, yet data depicting frequency of use for PA locations and variations among demographic groups is limited. By examining the frequency of use for various PA locations across a diverse population in north Georgia, this study revealed several patterns that have implications for recreation management:
• Localized outdoor settings (e.g., homes/backyards, neighborhoods) are used more often for PA than other recreation locations (i.e., parks).
• Females use neighborhood settings more often for PA than males.
• Latinos and African Americans use parks more often for PA than Whites.
• African Americans, Asians and high income individuals use gyms and recreation centers more often for PA than other groups.
• Efforts to promote PA via outdoor recreation should consider multiple aspects of the built environment and account for a range of diverse preferences that influence site use patterns across different demographic groups.