Abstract
BackgroundPhysical inactivity in children is a major health problem in The Netherlands as well as in many other Western countries. In addition to health promotion among parents and children, creating "active" neighbourhoods can contribute to the solution of this health problem. However, changing environmental characteristics is often the responsibility of policy sectors outside the Public Health domain. Therefore this project identifies and evaluates the possibilities of multi-sector policy measures to stimulate physical activity in children.Methods and designThe project consists of quantitative as well as qualitative research methods and is conducted in four medium sized Dutch cities. To identify perceived environmental determinants of physical activity in children, a large scale health survey was conducted at 42 primary schools. Written questionnaires including topics on the children's physical activity behaviour (i.e. sports participation, outdoor play, active commuting, television watching and computer usage) and physical and social environmental characteristics were completed by 6,601 parents of children aged 3-13 years old and 3449 children aged 9-13 years old. In addition, 33 neighbourhood audits (systematic observations) were conducted to assess objective neighbourhood characteristics. Furthermore, a policy analysis was conducted in the four participating municipalities to provide an overview of the current local policy measures directed at stimulation of physical activity in children. Policy plans of six different policy sectors (Public Health, Sports, Education & Youth, Spatial Planning, Traffic & Transport, and Safety) were screened for their content on physical activity in children. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with policy makers of each of these sectors to identify critical success factors in the development and realization of multi-sector policy plans aimed at stimulating physical activity in children. The results of all these research activities will be discussed with local policy makers during interactive workshop sessions in order to identify clear cut multi-sector policy measures that stimulate physical activity in children.DiscussionThis paper describes the study design of a project that focuses on multi-sector policy measures that stimulate physical activity in children. Next to extensive research into the environmental determinants of physical activity in children, much emphasis is placed on the translation of the research outcomes into concrete and feasible policy plans.
Highlights
Physical inactivity in children is a major health problem in The Netherlands as well as in many other Western countries
To identify perceived environmental determinants of physical activity in children, a large scale health survey was conducted at 42 primary schools
Written questionnaires including topics on the children's physical activity behaviour and physical and social environmental characteristics were completed by 6,601 parents of children aged 3-13 years old and 3449 children aged 9-13 years old
Summary
Physical inactivity in children is a major health problem in The Netherlands as well as in many other Western countries. Changing environmental characteristics is often the responsibility of policy sectors outside the Public Health domain This project identifies and evaluates the possibilities of multi-sector policy measures to stimulate physical activity in children. Lack of physical activity among youth: the role of the environment The Netherlands is famous for its pedestrian and bicycle friendly infrastructure, lack of physical activity is a serious problem among the Dutch population. One study conducted in deprived Dutch neighbourhoods even showed that only 3% of the children who lived there met the recommended guidelines [3]. The vast majority of the Dutch children is not sufficiently involved in regular physical activity, those living in deprived areas. It is of major importance to find appropriate ways to stimulate physical activity in children
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