A park typology in the QUALITY cohort: Implications for physical activity and truncal fat among youth at risk of obesity

- Parks are operationalized based on features of interest for youth physical activity.
- Behaviors of youth at risk of obesity living near distinct park types are explored.
- Youth near parks emphasizing unstructured activities may be more physically active.
- Youth near parks emphasizing unstructured activities may have less truncal fat.
- Parks emphasizing unstructured activities may help prevent obesity among some youth.

BackgroundThe operationalization of opportunities for physical activity (PA) in parks has not been studied extensively.ObjectivesTo explore associations between park types, PA and adiposity in youth.MethodsData were from an ongoing cohort study in children at risk of obesity. Data were collected in 512 participants (2005-2008). Analyses were restricted to 380 participants living within ≥ 1000 m of ≥ 1 park (n parks = 576). Park types were identified using principal component and cluster analyses. Linear and logistic regressions were used to explore associations between park types, and PA and adiposity. The reference category was children living near smaller-sized parks with no team PA features.ResultsNine park types were identified. Compared to the reference group, children living near esthetically pleasing parks with few team sports installations reported more 15-minute bouts of PA/week (bouts of PA) (β = 5.2 [90% CI: 2.3; 8.1]) and variety of PA (1.6 [0.1; 3.1]), and had less % truncal fat (− 3.4 [− 6.4; − 0.5]). Children living near parks that were low on safety items with cycling infrastructure reported more bouts of PA (2.2 [0; 4.3]) and variety of PA (0; 2.2]). Children living near parks with a variety of PA installations reported more bouts of PA (2.5 [0.2; 4.7]) and variety of PA (1.4 [0.2; 2.5]). Children living near parks that had team sports and pool features reported more bouts of PA (2.5 [0.4; 4.7]). No significant associations were found for objectively-measured PA.ConclusionParks that emphasize unstructured activities may increase self-reported PA and be associated with less % truncal fat among youth at risk of obesity.