The aim of this study was to identify reasons why or why not children spend time outdoors in their neighborhoods. By integrating objective GPS activity monitoring data and environmental analysis in a geographic information system with qualitative data obtained from both parents and children, researchers were able to conduct a deep pattern analysis of children's habitual neighborhood behavior.
The data utilized for this investigation was from the STEAM (Spatio-Temporal Environment and Activity Monitoring) project designed to examine the effects of the built environment on children's health-related behaviors. For this project, children aged 9–13 were invited to participate in a week-long data-collection experience documenting their activities and mobility in their neighborhoods. The study focused on two lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods -- one urban and one suburban -- in London, Canada with similar social and economic characteristics.
Children participating in the study wore portable GPS monitors during all waking hours for 6–7 days. During this time, they also completed daily activity and travel diaries. Additionally, participants and their parents completed detailed surveys on children's neighborhood activities and perceptions. Small-group discussions involving two to three children at a time were conducted after the 7-day protocol to obtain more detailed information about the children's neighborhood perceptions and behaviors.
Prior to the interview, each participant's GPS tracks from their study week were loaded into Google Earth, providing objective information about the location of their activities. This information and entries from the participants' activity diaries were used as discussion prompts. Qualitative data from the interviews relating to specific neighborhood resources or destinations were matched to the spatial location within Google Earth and later imported into a geographic information system (GIS). A total of 23 children completed all aspects of the project.
Objective environmental data about each of the neighborhoods was obtained from city and country sources and included information about the type and number of nearby commercial, recreational, and other activity resources, as well as the location of built or natural elements that can constrain children's activity or hinder their mobility, such as major roads, rivers, or railroads.
In analyzing the data, almost half of the participants were categorized as having a primarily indoor experience – that is, having little to no regular time outdoors. The data also indicated that both social and environmental conditions influenced children's outdoor activity. Their independent destinations and activity domains were tied to several mutually dependent factors: the time and freedom they have for neighborhood play or exploration; the perception of diverse affordances supporting their interests; and a safe and interesting local environment. Most children perceiving high levels of local affordances had higher levels of independent mobility, large neighborhood activity space, and the highest number of local independent destinations. Most of these children also had a habitual outdoor component to their activities, had fairly unstructured schedules, and spent low amounts of time either in vehicles or in front of screens.
“Residential islands” (an area either surrounded by homes or located on the fringes of a neighborhood bounded by structures limiting independent mobility) was a major factor in how much time children spent indoors. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that neighborhood planning should promote diversity of activity affordances and address conditions that support increased independent mobility for children and youth.
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