Influence of Urban Green Space and Facility Accessibility on Exercise and Healthy Diet in Hong Kong

John W. M. Yuen, Katherine K. P. Chang, Frances K. Y. Wong, Fiona Y. Wong, Judy Y. M. Siu, H. C. Ho, M. S. Wong, Janice Y. S. Ho, K. L. Chan and Lin Yang
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John W. M. Yuen: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Katherine K. P. Chang: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Frances K. Y. Wong: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Fiona Y. Wong: School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Judy Y. M. Siu: Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
H. C. Ho: Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
M. S. Wong: Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Janice Y. S. Ho: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
K. L. Chan: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Lin Yang: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Background A cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling method was conducted to understand how green space and accessibility of common public open spaces in compact urban areas affect physical activity and healthy diets of residents. Methods A total of 554 residents completed a structured questionnaire on quality of life, physical activity level and healthy eating practice. Particularly, categories of physical activity and durations were obtained by using the short form Chinese International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-C), then the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes/week was calculated using the formulae (walking minutes × walking days × 3.3) + (moderate-intensity activity minutes × moderate days × 4.0) + (vigorous-intensity activity minutes × vigorous-intensity days × 8.0). The percentage of green space was calculated based on a spatial buffer with a 500 m radius from participants’ geocoded addresses using a SPOT (‘Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre’ in French) satellite image-derived vegetation dataset. Parks, promenade and sports facilities were examples of open spaces. Results The sampled population who lived with green space averaged 10.11% ± 7.95% (ranged 1.56–32.90%), with the majority (90%) performing physical activities at medium and high levels. MET-minutes/week was significantly associated (Pearson r = 0.092; p < 0.05) with the green space percentage. Relatively active residents commonly used open spaces within the district for performing exercise, in particular, parks and promenades were mostly used by older residents, while sports facilities by the younger groups at age 25–44 and <25 years. Conclusions Current findings suggested promotion of exercise could be achieved by the design or redesign of built environment to include more parks accessible to the residents with the increase of vegetation.

Keywords: physical activity; exercise; green space; open space; Metabolic Equivalent of Task; International Physical Activity Questionnaire; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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