Children living in neighborhoods where parents believe that there are good parks and sidewalks spend less time engaged in screen-based behaviors, are more physically active, and are more likely to walk or bike to and from school

Parents play a large role in determining what children can and cannot do. In this study, Carson and colleagues investigated whether parents' perceptions of their neighborhood environments are associated with children's screen time, physical activity, and active transport to and from school.

Researchers gathered data from over 3,000 fifth grade students from 148 schools in Alberta, Canada. Children and parents completed several surveys on physical activity, screen time, active transport, and neighborhood perceptions. Carson and colleagues found that 59% of fifth grade students in Alberta engaged in less than 2 hours of screen time a day, 27% of students were physically active, and 39% walked or biked to and from school. In examining associations between parents' perceptions and children's screen time, physical activity, and active transport, researchers grouped parental perceptions into three areas: 1) satisfaction/services (satisfaction with where you live and access to sports, recreation, and stores); 2) safety (traffic and crime); and 3) sidewalks/parks (access to good sidewalks and parks).

In analyzing the data, Carson and colleagues found that good satisfaction/services and sidewalks/parks were associated with less screen time and more physical activity in children and neighborhoods with good sidewalks/parks were also associated with more children using active transport to and from school. Researchers found no significant associations between perceptions of neighborhood safety and children's physical activity, screen time, or active transport.

This study suggests that interventions that increase access to parks, sidewalks, and sports and recreation programs could help increase children's physical activity and active transport, while reducing their sedentary behaviors.  The authors recommend that research be conducted to understand in more detail the potential impact of neighborhood safety on children's physical activity and sedentary behavior. They address some policy implications of their findings. For example, they recommend that consideration be given to providing sidewalks in new neighborhoods or when upgrading existing neighborhoods, given their positive relationship with children's increased physical activity.