Final answer:
Local parks play a significant role in promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity, contributing to community health. Exact figures for park-based physical activity were not provided, but according to a local study, only 14% of residents engage in walking for exercise. The importance of physical activity is underscored by its numerous health benefits and the statistic that 8 out of 10 Americans do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research has indicated that a certain percentage of visitors to local parks engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, which highlights the impact of local parks on community health. While the exact percentage is not provided in the materials, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Studies highlight that regular physical activity is correlated with a range of health benefits, including but not limited to increased life expectancy, improved physical fitness, weight management, and psychological wellbeing. However, a concerning statistic from the American Heart Association reveals that 8 out of 10 Americans fail to meet these physical activity guidelines.
One local study mentioned found that only 14 percent of the city residents walked for exercise, which could suggest a low engagement in moderate physical activity. This finding, along with global trends showing that around 30 percent of the population gets insufficient exercise, emphasizes the need for promoting the use of parks for physical activity to improve public health. Nevertheless, the health benefits of sufficient physical activity are clear, including a reduction in chronic disease risk and an increase in life expectancy.