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Physical Activity and Food Environments in and around Schools: A Case Study in Regional North-West Tasmania

Author

Listed:
  • Sisitha Jayasinghe

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Emily J. Flies

    (School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
    Healthy Landscapes Research Group, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Robert Soward

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Dave Kendal

    (Healthy Landscapes Research Group, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
    School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Michelle Kilpatrick

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia
    Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Verity Cleland

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia
    Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia)

  • Rebecca Roberts

    (Australian Urban Observatory, Centre of Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Fadhillah Norzahari

    (Australian Urban Observatory, Centre of Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Melanie Davern

    (Australian Urban Observatory, Centre of Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
    Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Timothy P. Holloway

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Sandra Murray

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Kira A. E. Patterson

    (College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Kiran D. K. Ahuja

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Roger Hughes

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Nuala M. Byrne

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Andrew P. Hills

    (College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7250, Australia)

Abstract

A better understanding of the physical activity (PA) infrastructure in schools, the walkability of neighborhoods close to schools, and the food environments around schools, particularly in rural, socioeconomically challenged areas such as the North-West (NW) of Tasmania, could be important in the wider effort to improve the health of school-age children. Accordingly, this research aimed to assess PA resources, walkability, and food environments in and around schools in three socioeconomically disadvantaged, regional/rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Tasmania, Australia. A census of schools (including assessment of the PA infrastructure quality within school grounds), a walkability assessment, and a census of food outlets surrounding schools (through geospatial mapping) were executed. Most of the schools in the study region had access to an oval, basketball/volleyball/netball court, and free-standing exercise equipment. In all instances (i.e., regardless of school type), the quality of the available infrastructure was substantially higher than the number of incivilities observed. Most schools also had good (i.e., within the first four deciles) walkability. Numerous food outlets were within the walking zones of all schools in the study region, with an abundance of food outlets that predominantly sold processed unhealthy food.

Suggested Citation

  • Sisitha Jayasinghe & Emily J. Flies & Robert Soward & Dave Kendal & Michelle Kilpatrick & Verity Cleland & Rebecca Roberts & Fadhillah Norzahari & Melanie Davern & Timothy P. Holloway & Sandra Murray , 2022. "Physical Activity and Food Environments in and around Schools: A Case Study in Regional North-West Tasmania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6238-:d:820263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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