Children of parents that perceive high satisfaction, a great number of neighborhood services, good sidewalks and high park access in their neighborhood, are more likely to be physically active, engage in less screen time, and generally use greater amounts of active transport to and from school.
RESULTS:
- Children living in neighborhoods with high perceived satisfaction and/or services were significantly more likely to engage in 2 hours or less of screen time and be physically active compared with those children living in areas with low perceived satisfaction and/or services.
- Children from neighborhoods with high perceived sidewalks and/or parks were significantly more likely to engage in 2 hours or less of screen time, be physically active, and engage in active transportation compared with those children living in areas with low perceived sidewalks and/or park neighborhoods.
- Perceived neighborhood safety had little to no impact on a child’s screen time, physical activity level, or active transport.
METHODS:
- Study data came from the Raising Healthy Eating and Active Living Kids in Alberta (REAL Kids Alberta) study, a large population-based survey on health, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle factors among fifth grade students and their parents. 3,421 fifth grade students from 148 randomly selected schools in Alberta and their parents were surveyed in the spring of 2008. Physical activity was assessed by self-report using an adapted version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Screen time and active transport (walking and biking) were assessed by parent proxy reports. Parents were also surveyed on their perception of their neighborhood, specifically satisfaction/services, safety, and sidewalks/parks.
Carson, V., Kuhle, S., Spence, J. and Veugelers, P. (2010). Parents’ Perception of Neighbourhood Environment as a Determinant of Screen Time, Physical Activity and Active Transport. Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique (2010) 101:2.
