The Experts below are selected from a list of 4224 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Bruce Eshelman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Urban stormwater inputs to an adapted coastal wetland: role in water treatment and impacts on wetland biota.
The Science of the total environment, 2014Co-Authors: Julia A Howitt, Julie Mondon, Bradley D Mitchell, Toby Kidd, Bruce EshelmanAbstract:The Lake Pertobe wetland system is a semi-natural wetland that has been modified primarily for Recreational use. However, this lake system receives stormwater from much of the central business district of Warrnambool City (Victoria, Australia) and serves as a buffer zone between the stormwater system and the Merri River and Merri Marine Sanctuary. This work considers the impact of stormwater inputs on Lake Pertobe and the effectiveness of the lake in protecting the associated marine sanctuary. Sediment contaminants (including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) and water quality parameters within the lake, groundwater and stormwater system were measured. Water quality parameters were highly variable between stormwater drains and rain events. Suspended solids rapidly settled along open drains and shortly after entering the lake. Groundwater inputs increased both salinity and dissolved nitrogen in some stormwater drains. Some evidence of bioaccumulation of metals in the food chain was identified and sediment concentrations of several PAHs were very high. The lake acted as a sink for PAHs and some metals and reductions in Escherichia coli, biological oxygen demand and total phosphorus were observed, affording some protection to the associated marine sanctuary. Nutrient retention was inadequate overall and it was identified that managing the lake primarily as a Recreational Facility impacted on the effectiveness of stormwater treatment in the system.
Kelly R. Evenson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Disparities in physical activity resource availability in six US regions.
Preventive medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Sydney A. Jones, Ana V. Diez Roux, Shannon J. Brines, Kari Moore, Latetia V. Moore, Melissa A. Zagorski, Kelly R. EvensonAbstract:Abstract Objective We conducted an ecological study to determine physical activity resource availability overall and by sociodemographic groups in parts of six states (CA, IL, MD, MN, NC, NY). Methods Data on parks and Recreational facilities were collected from 3 sources in 2009–2012. Three measures characterized park and Recreational Facility availability at the census tract level: presence of ≥1 resource, number of resources, and resource kernel density. Associations between resource availability and census tract characteristics (predominant racial/ethnic group, median income, and proportion of children and older adults) were estimated using linear, binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression in 2014. Pooled and stratified analyses were conducted. Results The study included 7139 census tracts, comprising 9.5% of the 2010 US population. Overall the availability of parks and Recreational facilities was lower in predominantly minority relative to non-Hispanic white census tracts. Low-income census tracts and those with a higher proportion of children had an equal or greater availability of park resources but fewer Recreational facilities. Stratification revealed substantial variation in resource availability by site. Conclusion The availability of physical activity resources varied by sociodemographic characteristics and across regions. Improved knowledge of resource distribution can inform strategies to provide equitable access to parks and Recreational facilities.
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Longitudinal Associations Between Neighborhood Recreational Facilities and Change in Recreational Physical Activity in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, 2000–2007
American journal of epidemiology, 2013Co-Authors: Yamini K. Ranchod, Ana V. Diez Roux, Kelly R. Evenson, Brisa N. Sánchez, Kari MooreAbstract:Many cross-sectional studies have investigated the relationship between neighborhood physical environment and physical activity. However, few studies have examined this relationship longitudinally, and no study has examined the association between change in objective measurements of physical activity resources and change in physical activity in adults. We used longitudinal data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000–2007) of 6,814 adults who were aged 45–84 years at baseline. Physical activity was assessed via a semiquantitative questionnaire at baseline and at 2 follow-up visits (approximately 1.6 and 3.2 years later). We measured the density of Recreational facilities within 1 mile of each participant's home address and used linear mixed-effects models to estimate the association between change in Recreational Facility density and change in physical activity. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that a greater increase in Recreational density was associated with a less pronounced decline in physical activity (mean difference in annual change in physical activity for each 1-unit increase in Recreational density over time = 10.3 (95% confidence interval: 0.7, 19.9)). This association was stronger in older adults. Better access to Recreational facilities may benefit middle-aged and older adults by enabling them to maintain activity levels as they age.
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A spatial analysis of health-related resources in three diverse metropolitan areas.
Health & place, 2010Co-Authors: Melissa J. Smiley, Ana V. Diez Roux, Shannon J. Brines, Daniel G. Brown, Kelly R. Evenson, Daniel A. RodriguezAbstract:Few studies have investigated the spatial clustering of multiple health-related resources. We constructed 0.5 mile kernel densities of resources for census areas in New York City, NY (n=819 block groups), Baltimore, MD (n=737), and Winston-Salem, NC (n=169). Three of the four resource densities (supermarkets/produce stores, retail areas, and Recreational facilities) tended to be correlated with each other, whereas park density was less consistently and sometimes negatively correlated with others. Blacks were more likely to live in block groups with multiple low resource densities. Spatial regression models showed that block groups with higher proportions of black residents tended to have lower supermarket/produce, retail, and Recreational Facility densities, although these associations did not always achieve statistical significance. A measure that combined local and neighboring block group racial composition was often a stronger predictor of resources than the local measure alone. Overall, our results from three diverse U.S. cities show that health-related resources are not randomly distributed across space and that disadvantage in multiple domains often clusters with residential racial patterning.
Julia A Howitt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Urban stormwater inputs to an adapted coastal wetland: role in water treatment and impacts on wetland biota.
The Science of the total environment, 2014Co-Authors: Julia A Howitt, Julie Mondon, Bradley D Mitchell, Toby Kidd, Bruce EshelmanAbstract:The Lake Pertobe wetland system is a semi-natural wetland that has been modified primarily for Recreational use. However, this lake system receives stormwater from much of the central business district of Warrnambool City (Victoria, Australia) and serves as a buffer zone between the stormwater system and the Merri River and Merri Marine Sanctuary. This work considers the impact of stormwater inputs on Lake Pertobe and the effectiveness of the lake in protecting the associated marine sanctuary. Sediment contaminants (including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) and water quality parameters within the lake, groundwater and stormwater system were measured. Water quality parameters were highly variable between stormwater drains and rain events. Suspended solids rapidly settled along open drains and shortly after entering the lake. Groundwater inputs increased both salinity and dissolved nitrogen in some stormwater drains. Some evidence of bioaccumulation of metals in the food chain was identified and sediment concentrations of several PAHs were very high. The lake acted as a sink for PAHs and some metals and reductions in Escherichia coli, biological oxygen demand and total phosphorus were observed, affording some protection to the associated marine sanctuary. Nutrient retention was inadequate overall and it was identified that managing the lake primarily as a Recreational Facility impacted on the effectiveness of stormwater treatment in the system.
Amy V. Ries - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The neighborhood Recreational environment and physical activity among urban youth: an examination of public and private Recreational facilities.
Journal of community health, 2011Co-Authors: Amy V. Ries, Alice F. Yan, Carolyn C. VoorheesAbstract:Recreational Facility availability has been shown to associate positively with youth physical activity levels. Nonetheless, little is known about additional Facility characteristics affecting their use for physical activity as well as differences between private and public facilities. This study examines (1) perceptions and use of public and private Recreational facilities and (2) environmental and individual-level correlates of both Facility use and physical activity among urban adolescents. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometry, objective measures of Facility availability were obtained using Geographical Information Systems data, and Facility use and perceptions were measured with a survey (N = 327). Adolescents were more likely to use public than private facilities despite perceiving that private facilities were of higher quality. Adolescents’ use of both public and private facilities was associated with perceived (but not objective) availability, perceived quality, and use by friends and family. Public, but not private, Facility use was associated with physical activity. This study reveals the importance of public facilities to the physical activity of urban youth.
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a quantitative examination of park characteristics related to park use and physical activity among urban youth
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2009Co-Authors: Amy V. Ries, Carolyn C. Voorhees, Kathleen M Roche, Joel Gittelsohn, Nan Marie AstoneAbstract:Abstract Purpose Although several studies have identified a positive association between Recreational Facility availability and physical activity, few have examined Facility attributes beyond availability and involved minority adolescents. This study examines how both objective and perceived measures of the Facility environment are associated with urban adolescents' use of parks and physical activity. Methods Study participants included 329 adolescents from two high schools in Baltimore, Maryland, the majority (69%) of whom was African American. A Web-based survey assessed park use, neighborhood crime, and park availability, quality, and use by friends and family. Geographical Information Systems data were used to develop objective measures of park availability and crime. Physical activity data were obtained from 316 participants using accelerometers. Hypotheses regarding environmental correlates of park use and physical activity were tested using logistic regression models (for park use) and linear regression models (for physical activity). Results Perceptions of greater park availability, quality, and use by friends were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of an adolescents' park use. Perceptions of more park availability was associated with higher levels of physical activity, although this association was marginally significant. Objective measures of park availability and objective and subjective measures of crime were not associated with either park use or physical activity. Conclusions Efforts to promote park use for physical activity among urban youth should increase awareness of park availability, improve perceptions of park quality, and utilize social networks.
Ana V. Diez Roux - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Disparities in physical activity resource availability in six US regions.
Preventive medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Sydney A. Jones, Ana V. Diez Roux, Shannon J. Brines, Kari Moore, Latetia V. Moore, Melissa A. Zagorski, Kelly R. EvensonAbstract:Abstract Objective We conducted an ecological study to determine physical activity resource availability overall and by sociodemographic groups in parts of six states (CA, IL, MD, MN, NC, NY). Methods Data on parks and Recreational facilities were collected from 3 sources in 2009–2012. Three measures characterized park and Recreational Facility availability at the census tract level: presence of ≥1 resource, number of resources, and resource kernel density. Associations between resource availability and census tract characteristics (predominant racial/ethnic group, median income, and proportion of children and older adults) were estimated using linear, binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression in 2014. Pooled and stratified analyses were conducted. Results The study included 7139 census tracts, comprising 9.5% of the 2010 US population. Overall the availability of parks and Recreational facilities was lower in predominantly minority relative to non-Hispanic white census tracts. Low-income census tracts and those with a higher proportion of children had an equal or greater availability of park resources but fewer Recreational facilities. Stratification revealed substantial variation in resource availability by site. Conclusion The availability of physical activity resources varied by sociodemographic characteristics and across regions. Improved knowledge of resource distribution can inform strategies to provide equitable access to parks and Recreational facilities.
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Longitudinal Associations Between Neighborhood Recreational Facilities and Change in Recreational Physical Activity in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, 2000–2007
American journal of epidemiology, 2013Co-Authors: Yamini K. Ranchod, Ana V. Diez Roux, Kelly R. Evenson, Brisa N. Sánchez, Kari MooreAbstract:Many cross-sectional studies have investigated the relationship between neighborhood physical environment and physical activity. However, few studies have examined this relationship longitudinally, and no study has examined the association between change in objective measurements of physical activity resources and change in physical activity in adults. We used longitudinal data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000–2007) of 6,814 adults who were aged 45–84 years at baseline. Physical activity was assessed via a semiquantitative questionnaire at baseline and at 2 follow-up visits (approximately 1.6 and 3.2 years later). We measured the density of Recreational facilities within 1 mile of each participant's home address and used linear mixed-effects models to estimate the association between change in Recreational Facility density and change in physical activity. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that a greater increase in Recreational density was associated with a less pronounced decline in physical activity (mean difference in annual change in physical activity for each 1-unit increase in Recreational density over time = 10.3 (95% confidence interval: 0.7, 19.9)). This association was stronger in older adults. Better access to Recreational facilities may benefit middle-aged and older adults by enabling them to maintain activity levels as they age.
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A spatial analysis of health-related resources in three diverse metropolitan areas.
Health & place, 2010Co-Authors: Melissa J. Smiley, Ana V. Diez Roux, Shannon J. Brines, Daniel G. Brown, Kelly R. Evenson, Daniel A. RodriguezAbstract:Few studies have investigated the spatial clustering of multiple health-related resources. We constructed 0.5 mile kernel densities of resources for census areas in New York City, NY (n=819 block groups), Baltimore, MD (n=737), and Winston-Salem, NC (n=169). Three of the four resource densities (supermarkets/produce stores, retail areas, and Recreational facilities) tended to be correlated with each other, whereas park density was less consistently and sometimes negatively correlated with others. Blacks were more likely to live in block groups with multiple low resource densities. Spatial regression models showed that block groups with higher proportions of black residents tended to have lower supermarket/produce, retail, and Recreational Facility densities, although these associations did not always achieve statistical significance. A measure that combined local and neighboring block group racial composition was often a stronger predictor of resources than the local measure alone. Overall, our results from three diverse U.S. cities show that health-related resources are not randomly distributed across space and that disadvantage in multiple domains often clusters with residential racial patterning.