Are low income children more physically active when they live in homes with bigger yards? A longitudinal analysis of the NET-Works Study. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Jonathan M.; Fan, Yingling; Sherwood, Nancy E.; Osypuk, Theresa; French, Simone
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 63(2020:May)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: This study prospectively examined the relationship of home yard-size to objectively measured physical activity over three years among a cohort of 531 low-income pre-school-aged children. An adjusted total-effect association of 12.72 additional minutes per week of moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was observed for each additional hectare of yard-size. The direct-effect association, adjusting for previous year MVPA, was not statistically significant. This study provides evidence that the private or semi-private space around the house may impact children's' physical activity. Public health and urban planning practitioners should consider these results to identify built environment solutions for improving MVPA among low-income minority children. Highlights: Larger yard size was related to more physical activity in young children. Children living in condominiums had the highest levels of physical activity. The relationship of yard-size with physical activity lessened at larger yard-sizes.