Examining Access to Recreational Facilities in Danville, Virginia

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dc.contributor.authorSams, Lauren Kimbrellen
dc.contributor.committeecochairKolivras, Korine N.en
dc.contributor.committeecochairHill, Jennie L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberOliver, Robert D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCarstensen, Laurence W.en
dc.contributor.departmentGeographyen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:36:15Zen
dc.date.adate2012-06-08en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:36:15Zen
dc.date.issued2012-04-26en
dc.date.rdate2012-06-08en
dc.date.sdate2012-05-16en
dc.description.abstractObesity is a growing issue in the United States, and it affects millions of people. Obesity-related illness accounts for billions of dollars in medical expenses each year, heightening the need for prevention and intervention strategies. Physical activity is essential in maintaining a healthy weight, yet population groups have unequal access to physical activity opportunities. This research utilizes an environmental justice framework to examine variations in access and quality of recreational facilities among different socio-demographic groups in Danville, VA. Data for this research include secondary and primary sources. Race data were obtained from the 2010 U.S. Census. The Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) tool was utilized to audit all recreational facilities within the City of Danville for features, amenities, and incivilities. Telephone survey data provided individual level-BMI, physical activity minutes per week, and variables of socioeconomic status, including income, education attainment, employment status, and gender. Analysis included ANOVAs, linear, and bivariate logistic regression. Predominant block group race was a significant predictor of incivilities at physical activity outlets. Proximity to recreational facilities was not a predictor of physical activity or BMI. Interventions must be made to improve the quality of recreational facilities in black or African American block groups.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05162012-014120en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05162012-014120/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/42685en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartSams_LK_T_2012.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectenvironmental justiceen
dc.subjectphysical activityen
dc.subjectaccessen
dc.subjectObesityen
dc.subjectparksen
dc.subjectmedical geographyen
dc.titleExamining Access to Recreational Facilities in Danville, Virginiaen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineGeographyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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