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Environmental Preferences and the Use of Natural
Areas for Physical Activity among
Hispanic Minority Residents
In 2006-2007, Drs. Shinew and Stodolska of UIUC, and Dr. Gobster of USDA
are conducting a study to examine the environmental preferences of Hispanic minority residents as they relate to physical activity. More
specifically, the study examines the level of perceived access minority
residents have to natural environments, the frequency with which minority
residents use natural environments for physical activity, and the specific
environmental preferences of minority residents. The study focuses on Hispanic
Americans residing in two communities in the metropolitan Chicago area - East Side and Little Village. The study consists of three phases. In Phase 1, conducted in 2006, 400 surveys were distributed to residents of the two communities. In Phase 2, conducted over the summer of 2007, 6 focus groups were conducted with residents of the two communities. In Phase 3, that is being conducted in the fall of 2007, in-depth interviews are being conducted with stakeholders in these communities. The goal
of this research is to gain a greater understanding of the environmental
preferences of Hispanic Americans in an effort to
increase their use of natural environment for physical activity.
The project was funded by a grant from the USDA North Central Research Station in Evanston, Illinois.
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