Physical activity: NYC on the move

Physical activity: NYC on the move

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
City voices
Author(s):
Fisher, Elisa, author
Realmuto, Lindsey, author
Abbott, Sharon A., author
Green, Dona, author
Weiss, Linda, author
Contributor(s):
New York Academy of Medicine, issuing body.
Publication:
New York, N.Y. : New York Academy of Medicine, February 2016
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Exercise
Motor Activity
Needs Assessment
Physical Fitness
Poverty
Residence Characteristics
New York City
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
This data brief is part of a series--"City Voices: New Yorkers on Health"-- developed to give a voice to the health needs of people in the city who are oftentimes invisible or unheard. "Physical Activity: NYC on the Move" does this by highlighting informative personal experiences of primarily low-income New Yorkers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Physical activity improves health and reduces risk for chronic illnesses, like diabetes and hypertension, and research suggests that living in an urban environment is associated with a more active lifestyle. Although some evidence indicates that New York City residents are more physically fit than the average American, data also imply that New Yorkers have differential opportunities for physical activity and exercise, suggesting areas for intervention. In 2014, a mixed-method community needs assessment (CNA) was conducted based on 2,875 surveys and 81 focus groups with primarily low-income New Yorkers, as well as 41 interviews with key community leaders. This report explores the perspectives of these community members and key informants on physical activity as reported in this CNA. Our findings are consistent with existing research on the habits of New Yorkers; City residents frequently participate in physical activity facilitated, in large part, by the urban environment in which they live. Formal exercise, however, occurs less regularly due to a number of community and personal factors, including a lack of quality, safe, affordable and culturally-appropriate recreation spaces or programs, and a lack of time or energy after addressing other priorities, such as work, childcare and school. Focus group participants and key informants offer suggestions to reduce barriers and support community members in exercising more consistently.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (19 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101677530 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101677530