Disparities in Adolescents' Residence in Neighborhoods Supportive of Physical Activity - United States, 2011-2012.

In 2013, only 27% of adolescents in grades 9-12 met the current federal guideline for aerobic physical activity (at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day*), and sex and racial/ethnic disparities in meeting the guideline exist (1). The Community Preventive Services Task Force has recommended a range of community-level evidence-based approaches(†) to increase physical activity by improving neighborhood supports for physical activity.(§) To assess the characteristics of adolescents who live in neighborhoods that are supportive of physical activity, CDC analyzed data on U.S. children and adolescents aged 10-17 years (defined as adolescents for this report) from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Overall, 65% of U.S. adolescents live in neighborhoods supportive of physical activity, defined as neighborhoods that are perceived as safe and have sidewalks or walking paths and parks, playgrounds, or recreation centers. Adolescents who were Hispanic and non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity; who lived in lower-income households, households with less educated parents, and rural areas; or who were overweight or obese were less likely to live in neighborhoods supportive of physical activity than were white adolescents and adolescents from higher income households, with a more highly educated parent, living in urban areas, and not overweight or obese. Within demographic groups, the largest disparity in the percentage of adolescents living in these neighborhoods was observed between adolescents living in households with a family income <100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (51%) and adolescents living in households with a family income ≥400% of the FPL (76%). Efforts to improve neighborhood supports, particularly in areas with a substantial percentage of low-income and minority residents, might increase physical activity among adolescents and reduce health disparities.

Park Access Among School-Age Youth in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Fewer than 30% of U.S. youth meet the recommendation to be active ≥ 60 minutes/day. Access to parks may encourage higher levels of physical activity. PURPOSE: To examine differences in park access among U.S. school-age youth, by demographic characteristics and urbanicity of block group. METHODS: Park data from 2012 were obtained from TomTom, Incorporated. Population data were obtained from the 2010 U.S. Census and American Community Survey 2006-2010. Using a park access score for each block group based on the number of national, state or local parks within one-half mile, we examined park access among youth by majority race/ethnicity, median household income, median education, and urbanicity of block groups. RESULTS: Overall, 61.3% of school-age youth had park access--64.3% in urban, 36.5% in large rural, 37.8% in small rural, and 35.8% in isolated block groups. Park access was higher among youth in block groups with higher median household income and higher median education. CONCLUSION: Urban youth are more likely to have park access. However, park access also varies by race/ethnicity, median education, and median household. Considering both the demographics and urbanicity may lead to better characterization of park access and its association with physical activity among youth.

U.S. Adults' Participation in Specific Activities: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System--2011.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on national estimates for participation in types of aerobic activities among U.S. adults. Current estimates are important to develop appropriate and effective interventions to promote physical activity and interpret bias for some activities measured with devices. METHODS: The percentage of adults participating in specific aerobic activities was estimated overall and by demographic subgroups. The 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents (N = 446,216) reported up to 2 aerobic activities they spent the most time doing during the past month. RESULTS: Overall, walking (47%) was the most common activity reported and was reported more by women (54%) than men (41%). Participation in most activities declined with increasing age (P < .006). There were a number of differences in participation between race/ethnic subgroups. Participation increased with more education (P for trend < 0.006) for all activities. Participation in most activities was different (P < .002) across BMI subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Walking is the most common activity, overall and among most subgroups. Other activity profiles differ by demographic subgroup. Physical activity promotion strategies that focus on identifying and addressing personal and environmental barriers and understanding demographic subgroup differences could lead to more tailored interventions and public health programs.

Spatial disparities in the distribution of parks and green spaces in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Little national evidence is available on spatial disparities in distributions of parks and green spaces in the USA. PURPOSE: This study examines ecological associations of spatial access to parks and green spaces with percentages of black, Hispanic, and low-income residents across the urban-rural continuum in the conterminous USA. METHODS: Census tract-level park and green space data were linked with data from the 2010 U.S. Census and 2006-2010 American Community Surveys. Linear mixed regression models were performed to examine these associations. RESULTS: Poverty levels were negatively associated with distances to parks and percentages of green spaces in urban/suburban areas while positively associated in rural areas. Percentages of blacks and Hispanics were in general negatively linked to distances to parks and green space coverage along the urban-rural spectrum. CONCLUSIONS: Place-based race-ethnicity and poverty are important correlates of spatial access to parks and green spaces, but the associations vary across the urbanization levels.

Trends in no leisure-time physical activity--United States, 1988-2010.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine trends in the prevalence of no leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) from 1988 to 2010. METHOD: Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, 35 states and the District of Columbia reported information on no LTPA from 1988 to 1994; all states reported no LTPA from 1996 to 2010. RESULTS: No LTPA significantly declined over two decades. Prevalence for all states declined on an average of 0.6% per year from 29.1% in 1996 to 24.1% in 2004 and stabilized from 2005 to 2010, ranging from 24.0% to 25.4%. Prevalence declined for both sexes and all racial/ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: While the no LTPA trends improved over two decades, one in four U.S. adults still report they do not engage in LTPA.

Changes in receiving preventive care services among US adults with diabetes, 1997-2007.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires complex continuing medical care and patient self-management to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Receipt of multiple recommended preventive care services can prevent or delay diabetes-related complications such as blindness and lower-extremity amputations. METHODS: We analyzed 1997 and 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine change in rates of adults with diabetes receiving 4 essential preventive care services (influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and annual foot and eye examinations). RESULTS: The overall age-adjusted rate of receiving all 4 of the preventive care services was 10% in 1997 but increased to 20% in 2007. Rates for receiving all 4 services increased significantly in all demographic subgroups except Hispanics. CONCLUSION: Use of preventive care services is increasing, but most US adults with diabetes do not meet recommendations, and the problem is particularly pronounced among Hispanics. The need to receive preventive care services should continue to be emphasized in clinical and community settings to increase the percentage of adults with diabetes who receive them.