Factors predicting the capacity of Los Angeles city-region recreation programs to promote energy expenditure.

An audit of recreation programs with moderate or higher levels of physical activity (PA) in Los Angeles area cities (N=82) was conducted using internet, telephone, and survey methods. Metabolic Equivalents (METs) were used to code programs׳ physical activity intensity. MET-hours per recreation program was associated with required age for enrollment, percent of residents >64 years of age, and fiscal capacity of cities. Capacity to promote energy expenditure may depend on targeted age groups, age of population, and municipal fiscal capacity. Cities with lower fiscal capacity might offer those higher MET-hour activities which require less specialized equipment and seek outside funding to offer higher MET programs.

Organizing for healthy communities: a report from public housing in Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND: Public health outcomes in public housing communities deserve and require more attention. Recent work in Los Angeles demonstrates a model for contributing to improved health outcomes in public housing communities. OBJECTIVES: This article describes community organizing and coalition-building efforts focused on community health issues in public housing, and documents outcomes and lessons learned from resident-led work in the Los Angeles Human Right to Housing Collective. METHODS: Our team used a case study of the practice of community organizing, coalition building, resident engagement, advocacy, health impact assessment, and a human rights framework. RESULTS: Results include successes that promote individual and community health in public housing communities in Los Angeles, including public housing preservation, improved maintenance procedures, and increased tenant participation. CONCLUSIONS: Community organizing and resident-driven projects are fundamental to improving community health in public housing communities; it is necessary for decision makers to deeply engage with organized residents and incorporate their recommendations.

Childhood obesity and proximity to urban parks and recreational resources: a longitudinal cohort study.

The objective of the research was to assess how proximity to parks and recreational resources affects the development of childhood obesity through a longitudinal study. Data were collected on 3173 children aged 9-10 from 12 communities in Southern California in 1993 and 1996. Children were followed for eight years to collect longitudinal information, including objectively measured body mass index (BMI). Multilevel growth curve models were used to assess associations between attained BMI growth at age 18 and numerous environmental variables, including park space and recreational program access. For park acres within a 500 m distance of children's homes, there were significant inverse associations with attained BMI at age 18. Effect sizes were larger for boys than for girls. Recreation programs within a 10 km buffer of children's homes were significantly and inversely associated with achieved levels in BMI at age 18, with effect sizes for boys also larger than those for girls. We conclude that children with better access to parks and recreational resources are less likely to experience significant increases in attained BMI.

The active city? Disparities in provision of urban public recreation resources.

Recreation is critical to active living yet few studies have focused on disparities in the provision of recreational programs. We investigate the spatial distribution of public recreational programs in southern California. Findings indicate that more than half of all recreation programs take place away from a formal park site. Multivariate modeling results suggest that cities characterized by low household incomes, low fiscal capacity, minority populations, and multi-family housing are disadvantaged with respect to recreation provisions. Such disparities may increase health risks among populations in such communities. Urban planners and public health advocates should enhance recreation programs in lower-income non-white communities.