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Safe play spaces to promote physical activity in inner-city children: Results from a pilot study of an environmental intervention

Author

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  • Farley, T.A.
  • Meriwether, R.A.
  • Baker, E.T.
  • Watkins, L.T.
  • Johnson, C.C.
  • Webber, L.S.

Abstract

Objectives. We evaluated the effect of providing a safe play space on the physical activity level of inner-city schoolchildren. Methods. In 1 of 2 matched neighborhoods, we opened a schoolyard and provided attendants to ensure children's safety. Over the next 2 years we directly observed the number of children and their physical activity levels in the schoolyard, as well as in the surrounding intervention and comparison neighborhoods. We also surveyed children in the schools in the intervention and comparison neighborhoods regarding sedentary activities. Results. After the schoolyard was opened, a mean of 71.4 children used it on weekdays and 25.8 used it on weekends during the school year. When observed, 66% of these children were physically active. The number of children who were outdoors and physically active was 84% higher in the intervention neighborhood than the comparison neighborhood. Survey results showed that children in the intervention school reported declines relative to the children in the comparison school in watching television, watching movies and DVDs, and playing video games on weekdays. Conclusion. When children were provided with a safe play space, we observed a relative increase in their physical activity. Provision of safe play spaces holds promise as a simple replicable intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Farley, T.A. & Meriwether, R.A. & Baker, E.T. & Watkins, L.T. & Johnson, C.C. & Webber, L.S., 2007. "Safe play spaces to promote physical activity in inner-city children: Results from a pilot study of an environmental intervention," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(9), pages 1625-1631.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2006.092692_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.092692
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael F. Hoffman & Sharon Hayes & Melissa A. Napolitano, 2014. "Urban Youths’ Experiences and Perceptions of a Community Cycling Initiative," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(2), pages 300-318, February.
    2. Cowan, Kate, 2020. "A panorama of play," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119732, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Harrington, Daniel W. & Elliott, Susan J., 2009. "Weighing the importance of neighbourhood: A multilevel exploration of the determinants of overweight and obesity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 593-600, February.
    4. Lee Smith & Guillermo Felipe López Sánchez & Arturo Díaz Suárez & Brendon Stubbs & Mathew Dowling & Adrian Scruton & Justin Roberts & James Johnstone & Shahina Pardhan, 2018. "Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity in Children of a South Asian Ethnicity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Karolina Boxberger & Anne Kerstin Reimers, 2019. "Parental Correlates of Outdoor Play in Boys and Girls Aged 0 to 12—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Yunjin Wang & Cheryl Desha & Savindi Caldera & Tanja Beer, 2024. "Roles of Urban Green Spaces for Children in High-Density Metropolitan Areas during Pandemics: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-24, January.
    7. Barau, Aliyu Salisu & Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi & Kafi, Kamil Muhammad & Olugbodi, Kemi Hamdat & Abubakar, Jibrin Ibrahim, 2023. "Dynamics of negotiated use of public open spaces between children and adults in an African city," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Amalie Lambert & Janae Vlaar & Susan Herrington & Mariana Brussoni, 2019. "What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-35, October.

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