Are Children's Perceptions Of Neighbourhood Environments Associated With Their Physical Activity?

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations between environmental factors and physical activity among Australian primary school children. METHODS: This study utilised baseline data from a large-scale trial among 957 children (48% boys) aged 9-12 years. Using newly developed or adapted measures, children self-reported their perceptions of the neighbourhood including social networks (e.g. there are lots of other children around to play with), social capital (e.g. there are lots of people in my area I could go to if I need help) and the physical environment (e.g. my area has lots of good places to explore). Children also selfreported their weekly physical activity from which average daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated. Linear regression analyses examined these associations. RESULTS: Boys performed 24 mins/day more MVPA than girls (p<.01) and 11 to 12 year-old children were more active than 9 to 10 year-olds (8 mins/day; p<.05). There were no differences in perceptions of the environment by sex or age. Children's perceptions of social capital (p<.0001), social networks (p<.01) and the physical environment (p<.0001) were all positively associated with MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that children who had positive perceptions of the social capital, social networks and the physical environment in their neighbourhood, tended to be more physically active. However, longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to further test the influence of these factors among children.