This document summarizes a study that examined the relationship between the presence of parks and body mass index (BMI). The study used data from the 2008 Arizona Health Survey of over 4,200 respondents. The results found that while the model was statistically significant, it only explained 3% of the variation in BMI. This suggests that an important variable may be missing from the model. The document calls for further investigation into non-linear relationships and additional variables like income that could improve the model.

1. The Presence of Parks and BMI

2. Parks and Urban Planning

Previous Literature Suggests:

 Parks not significant for physical activity
 Presence of parks for children is significant to
their BMI
 Parks matter most for urban students

3. Dependent Variable: Body Mass Index

Primary Ind. Variable: Presence of Parks

 “Is there a park within walking distance of you?”
Other Ind. Variables:

 Age, Gender, Education Level, Poverty
 Safety: “Does your neighborhood feel safe?”
 Nutrition Variables: During previous week, how many
times did you consume:
▪ Fast Food, French Fries, Soda
▪ Vegetables, Fruit

4. Park: -

Age: +

Gender: + (1 is female)

Education: - (1 is graduated from college)

Poverty: + (1 is below 130% of poverty line)

Safety: + (1 is feels safe all/some of the time)

Fast Food: +

Fries: +

Soda: +

Fruit: -

Vegetables: -


5. 2008 Arizona Health Survey 2008

4,200 Total Respondents, 3,557 Valid


7. R-Squared: 0.03

Adjust R-Squared: 0.029

F-statistic: 10.97, F-critical is 1.79

Very small percentage of variation around the

mean is explained by this model
However, model is very significant


8. t-critical: 1.64

9. Model was weak

Is there a missing variable?

Is there a non-linear relationship?

What about the equation does not reflect the

reality of BMI and the connection to parks?
Better model may vindicate hypothesis.


10. Understand relationship between BMI and

Income
Investigate other non-linear relationships

Find “the missing link”, i.e. variable
