Neighborhood Built Environment Impacts Park Use of Diverse, Low-Income Mothers With Their Children.

Abstract

Built environment features, including parks, often exacerbate health disparities. We examined built environment perceptions and park use among a population at high risk for negative physical health outcomes: racially diverse, low-income mothers across the United States. Perceived safety from crime and living near a park were associated with more frequent park use for mothers with their children, and neighborhood walkability was linked to longer park visits. However, only 40% of mothers lived within a 10-minute walk of a park, and overall perceptions of walkability and safety from crime were low. To enhance physical activity and health of low-income mothers with their children, investments are needed to close disparities in park access and improve neighborhood safety.