The influence of neighbourhood green space on children’s physical activity and screen time: findings from the longitudinal study of Australian children

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Thomas Astell-Burt¹  Chris Lonsdale²  Paul P. Fahey⁴  Xiaoqi Feng³  Taren Sanders⁴ 

[1] School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, UK;Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney 2135, NSW, Australia;School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2722, NSW, Australia;School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta 2150, NSW, Australia

关键词: Longitudinal data;    Children;    Screen time;    Physical activity;    Green space;   

Others  :  1231248
DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-015-0288-z

 received in 2015-05-07, accepted in 2015-09-18,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Objective

It is often hypothesised that neighbourhood green space may help prevent well-known declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour that occur across childhood. As most studies in this regard are cross-sectional, the purpose of our study was to use longitudinal data to examine whether green space promotes active lifestyles as children grow older.

Methods

Data came from participants (n = 4983; age = 4–5) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a nationally representative study on health and child development. Physical activity and screen time were measured biennially (2004–2012) using questionnaires and time use diaries. Quantity of neighbourhood green space was objectively measured using Australian Bureau of Statistics mesh block data for each participant’s statistical area level 2. Multilevel regression was used to test for associations between physical activity and screen time with green space quantity, adjusting for socio-economic confounders.

Results

Boys living in areas with 10 % more neighbourhood green space had a: 7 % (95 % CI = 1.02, 1.13) greater odds of choosing physically active pastimes; 8 % (95 % CI = 0.85, 1.00) lower odds of not enjoying physical activity; 2.3 min reduction in weekend television viewing (95 % CI = −4.00, −0.69); and 7 % (95 % CI = 1.02; 1.12) and 9 % (95 % CI = 1.03; 1.15) greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines on weekdays and weekends, respectively. No statistically (or practically) significant results were observed for girls.

Conclusion

Current provisions of neighbourhood green space may be more amenable to promoting active lifestyles among boys than girls. Research is needed to explore what types of green space promote active lifestyles in all children.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Sanders et al.

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1.

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