Abstract
BackgroundA rapidly growing body of research suggests that qualities of the built environment can promote active living among children and youth. Nevertheless, shortcomings in the current evidence for understanding which built environment characteristics provide opportunities for taking part in activities in childhood remain. This study aimed to examine whether population density, green spaces, and facilities/amenities are associated with participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA), organized activities, and social activities with friends and peers in Norwegian 8-year-olds.MethodsData from a sample of 23,043 children from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were linked with geospatial data about the built environment. The questionnaire data reported by mothers provided information on the children’s leisure activities. We computed exposure to neighborhood population density and access to green spaces and facilities/amenities within 800- and 5000-m radii of the participants’ home addresses using geographic information systems. Associations were estimated using logistic regression models.ResultsWe found beneficial associations between having a park within 800-m and more leisure-time PA during the summer. Furthermore, children living in neighborhoods with higher proportions of green space participated in more PA during the winter. More densely populated areas and access to facilities were associated with participation in organized and social activities. Specifically, we observed that more playgrounds/sport fields in the neighborhood were the strongest and most consistent correlate of activity participation in Norwegian 8-year-olds by being related to more socialization with friends and peers.ConclusionThis population-based study underscores the importance of access to a variety of venues and opportunities for different activities in the immediate neighborhood surroundings and in the greater community to support participation in physical activity and organized and social activities in childhood.
Highlights
A rapidly growing body of research suggests that qualities of the built environment can promote active living among children and youth
Significantly more boys participated in ≥5 h/week of leisure-time physical activity (PA) in the summer and winter compared to girls (p < 0.001)
There were slightly more girls, the mothers were younger and less educated, and the children participated less in activities compared to the study sample (p < 0.05)
Summary
A rapidly growing body of research suggests that qualities of the built environment can promote active living among children and youth. Shortcomings in the current evidence for understanding which built environment characteristics provide opportunities for taking part in activities in childhood remain. A great amount of time in children’s everyday life is devoted to leisure activities [8], and leisure is an important context for health promotion and well-being enhancement in childhood. To ensure children have opportunities to engage in leisure activities that can promote their well-being, knowledge about built environment characteristics of neighborhoods, and whether they facilitate activity participation, is important for different stakeholders [11]. It has been proposed that the neighborhood environment may exert influence on children’s leisure activities by providing resources essential for participation [12, 13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
