Physical Activity and Outdoor Play of Children in Public Playgrounds - Do Gender and Social Environment Matter?

Reimers AK, Schoeppe S, Demetriou Y, Knapp G (2018)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI

Publisher: MDPI

Book Volume: 15

Article Number: ARTN 1356

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071356

Abstract

Background: Few studies have delved into the relationship of the social environment with children's physical activity and outdoor play in public playgrounds by considering gender differences. The aim of the present study was to examine gender differences and the relationship of the social environment with children's physical activity and outdoor play in public playgrounds. Methods: A quantitative, observational study was conducted at ten playgrounds in one district of a middle-sized town in Germany. The social environment, physical activity levels, and outdoor play were measured using a modified version of the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth. Results: In total, 266 observations of children (117 girls/149 boys) between four and 12 years old were used in this analysis. Significant gender differences were found in relation to activity types, but not in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The presence of active children was the main explanatory variable for MVPA. In the models stratified by gender, the presence of opposite-sex children was a significant negative predictor of MVPA in girls but not in boys. Conclusions: The presence of active children contributes to children's physical activity levels in public playgrounds. Girls' physical activity seems to be suppressed in the presence of boys.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anne Kerstin Reimers

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Dortmund DE Germany (DE) Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE) University of Queensland AU Australia (AU) Technische Universität Chemnitz DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Reimers, A.K., Schoeppe, S., Demetriou, Y., & Knapp, G. (2018). Physical Activity and Outdoor Play of Children in Public Playgrounds - Do Gender and Social Environment Matter? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(7). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071356

MLA:

Reimers, Anne Kerstin, et al. "Physical Activity and Outdoor Play of Children in Public Playgrounds - Do Gender and Social Environment Matter?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15.7 (2018).

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