Spatial disparities in physical inactivity prevalence and residential recreation opportunity from a regional planning perspective

Spatial disparities in physical inactivity prevalence and residential recreation opportunity from a regional planning perspective

This study specifically examined the association between physical inactivity, socio­ demographic, economic, and environmental factors using manipulated spatial data from 3,109 counties in the continental US. The dependent variable (age-adjusted adult physical inactivity rate) was obtained from the CDC. Public and private levels of secondary data, as independent variables, were transformed into spatial data with the preservation of their attributes. Traditional regression (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) were conducted in Arc Map 10.1. Specifically, GWR modeling detected deferential associations between physical inactivity prevalence and its key determinants at the local and national geographical levels. The poverty rate was positively related, while a college-level education was negatively related to physical inactivity prevalence. Park proximity (walkable) showed the strongest negative association with physical inactivity prevalence, especially in the western regions. Physical inactivity prevalence was influenced by socioeconomic status (SES) and recreation-oriented built environments in the continental US. These findings may aid in informing evidence based guidelines for a balanced provision of recreation and leisure services aimed at mitigating spatial disparities in physical inactivity prevalence from a regional and community level planning perspective.