Preschoolers' home yard and neighborhood physical environments may influence their daily physical activity levelsDaily physical activity and outdoor play are vital for preschool children’s healthy development. Because the physical environment plays a crucial role in early childhood health and development, it is important to develop an improved understanding of how specific features of neighborhood settings influence young children’s physical activity. The aims of this Australian study were two-fold. First, the study aimed to identify preschool children’s home yard and neighborhood typologies based on parent-reported and objective measures of the physical environment. Second, the study investigated whether home yard and neighborhood environments were related to preschool children’s device-measured physical activity and parent-reported outdoor play.
The study utilized data from the Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity (PLAYCE) cohort study, which investigated how childcare/school, home, and neighborhood settings influence children’s movement behaviors and health outcomes. The PLAYCE study was conducted with children (age 2-5) who were recruited from childcare centers in the Perth metropolitan area of Western Australia. The data utilized in this study included (1) children’s physical activity, (2) parent-reported outdoor play, (3) home yard and neighborhood physical characteristics, and (4) parental perceptions of the neighborhood physical environment. The physical activity of 1,108 children was measured using accelerometers to estimate a range of movement behaviors, including daily minutes of energetic play (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and total physical activity (light intensity activities and energetic play). The typical daily outdoor play time (either near their home or at a park, playground, or outdoor recreation area) of 1,545 children was reported by parents on the PLAYCE survey. Two home yard and nine neighborhood physical environment variables were assessed using geographic information systems (GIS) data. The home yard environment was quantified through measures of total yard size and yard greenness. The neighborhood physical environment measures, except for blue space, were based on a 1,600-meter road network buffer around each child’s home. These measures included neighborhood percent vegetation, street connectivity, road traffic exposure, public transport stops, residential density, service destinations (such as medical offices, childcare centers, libraries, etc.) and food outlets (supermarkets and other food stores). The percentage of total area of blue space (oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water environments) was calculated for 1,600-meter circular buffers around each child’s home. Finally, parent perceptions of six neighborhood physical environment variables were assessed by the PLAYCE survey with a modified version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). This scale addressed neighborhood safety, street connectivity, walkability, neighborhood aesthetics and items related to young children (such as access to play equipment and safety of walking with young children). Statistical methods were used to develop physical environment latent profile categories (groups based on similar yard and neighborhood characteristics) for 1,634 children. Analyses then examined the relationships between children’s physical environments and their physical activity and outdoor play.
Accelerometer data showed that, on average, preschoolers engaged in 292 minutes of sedentary time, 334 minutes of light intensity activities and games, 18 minutes of walking, 4 minutes of running, 18 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activities and games, 39 minutes of energetic play and 374 minutes of total physical activity per day. Analysis of preschooler’s yard and neighborhood physical environments identified six profile categories. Each profile was labelled by its distinguishing physical feature characteristics, which were: ‘No blue space’, ‘Higher blue space’, ‘Higher public transport & destination mix’, ‘Connected residential’, ‘Established’ and ‘Semi-rural’. Next, analysis examined whether preschooler’s home yard and neighborhood physical environment profiles were linked to physical activity outcomes, while controlling for socio-demographic factors. Results revealed that children residing in the ‘Higher blue space’ and ‘Semi-rural’ profiles had significantly higher daily total physical activity levels than children residing in ‘Higher public transport & destination mix’ profiles. Children in 'Higher blue space' areas engaged in 13.5 more minutes of daily physical activity, while those in 'Semi-rural' areas had 26.5 more minutes than peers in 'Higher public transport & destination mix.' No other significant differences were detected between the profile groups’ daily total physical activity levels. Differences were detected between the groups’ light intensity physical activity (slow walking, ‘pottering about’ or standing activities). Children living in ‘No blue space’, ‘Higher blue space’, ‘Connected residential’ and ‘Semi-rural’ profiles had significantly more daily minutes of light intensity activities and games than children living in the ‘Higher public transport & destination mix’ profile. However, home yard and neighborhood physical environment profiles were not significantly related to daily minutes of energetic play, walking, running, moderate-to-vigorous physical activities and games, sedentary time or outdoor play score.
The study is the first of its kind to examine neighborhood typologies and preschooler physical activity based on both perceived and objective measures. Findings show that preschoolers' home yard and neighborhood physical environments were related to total daily physical activity. Importantly, light intensity physical activities and games were found to be the main activity type that contributed to this relationship. On the other hand, energetic play and outdoor play did not significantly vary between the groups. The reason why energetic play and outdoor play were not associated with preschool children's home yard and neighborhood physical environment profile remains unclear. Researchers should continue to examine movement behaviors to determine where young children are most physically active. Overall findings lend support to the social-ecological framework, which suggests that home yard and neighborhood features influence preschoolers’ physical activity behavior. However, the neighborhood typologies identified by the study are specific to the Western Australian urban landscape; therefore, findings may not be generalizable to more densely populated cities. The researchers highlight the importance of safe, accessible and attractive natural urban spaces to encourage children’s healthy physical activity levels.
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