Regional disparities in green space access and associations with adult obesity: An urban–rural comparison in Florida

Abstract

Despite the regional differences in green space access and adult obesity, relatively little attention has been paid to comparing the associations between green space access and adult obesity in urban and rural communities. Using a macro-level approach, we compared the spatially heterogeneous associations between green space access and adult obesity in urban and rural counties. To achieve this purpose, we employed multigroup partial least squares structural equation modeling with geographically weighed regression via a case study of 67 counties in Florida. The results showed significant urban–rural differences regarding the associations between green space access and adult obesity. These associations were spatially heterogeneous between urban and rural counties. Such findings can allow public health agencies and practitioners to better understand the regional disparities in the associations between green space access and adult obesity prevalence, which are essential to encouraging the formulation of community-based public health policies in Florida.