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Neighborhood and Family Characteristics Associated with Adiposity and Physical Activity Engagement among Preschoolers in a Small Rural Community

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  • Emily Hill Guseman

    (Diabetes Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
    Department of Primary Care, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH 45701, USA)

  • Susan B. Sisson

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Jonathon Whipps

    (Department of Natural and Social Sciences, Bowling Green State University Firelands, Huron, OH 44839, USA)

  • Cheryl A. Howe

    (School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA)

  • Madelyn M. Byra

    (Child Health and Exercise Medicine Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada)

  • Lucie E. Silver

    (Healthy Weight Center, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate family and home/neighborhood characteristics associated with physical activity (PA) and adiposity among young children living in a small rural community. Methods: Participants were 30 parents and their youngest child aged 2–5 years. Children wore accelerometers for 7 days. Parents completed questionnaires about family lifestyle behaviors, parenting practices, and home/neighborhood characteristics. Results: None of the family lifestyle behaviors were associated with child BMI percentile. Backyard size was inversely associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity on weekday afternoons (rho = −0.488, p = 0.006), as was perception of neighborhood dangers (rho = −0.388, p = 0.034). Perceived neighborhood safety (rho = 0.453, p = 0.012), the presence of sidewalks (rho = 0.499, p = 0.012), and public playground use (rho = 0.406, p = 0.026) were each associated with higher weekday afternoon MVPA. Conclusions: Findings suggest neighborhood safety, sidewalks, and use of public playgrounds are positively associated with MVPA among preschoolers, while backyard size and access to play equipment at home are not. These findings have implications for rural communities where space is plentiful but access to community space and sidewalks may be limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Hill Guseman & Susan B. Sisson & Jonathon Whipps & Cheryl A. Howe & Madelyn M. Byra & Lucie E. Silver, 2022. "Neighborhood and Family Characteristics Associated with Adiposity and Physical Activity Engagement among Preschoolers in a Small Rural Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13964-:d:954703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thayse Natacha Gomes & Donald Hedeker & Fernanda Karina Dos Santos & Michele Souza & Daniel Santos & Sara Pereira & Peter T. Katzmarzyk & José Maia, 2017. "Relationship between Sedentariness and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Youth: A Multivariate Multilevel Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Jarosław Herbert & Piotr Matłosz & Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez & Krzysztof Przednowek & Muhammad Asif & Justyna Wyszyńska, 2022. "Weekday and Weekend Physical Activity of Preschool Children in Relation to Selected Socioeconomic Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
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