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Contribution of Public Playgrounds to Motor, Social, and Creative Development and Obesity Reduction in Children

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Gil-Madrona

    (Faculty of Education of Albacete, University of Castilla–La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • María Martínez-López

    (Faculty of Psychology, National Distance Education University (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Alejandro Prieto-Ayuso

    (Faculty of Education of Cuenca, University of Castilla–La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
    Albacete Balompié S.A.D., 02006 Albacete, Spain)

  • Linda Saraiva

    (School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4901-908 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • Javier Vecina-Cifuentes

    (Faculty of Law of Albacete, University of Castilla–La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Tomás Vicente-Ballesteros

    (Faculty of Law of Albacete, University of Castilla–La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Rafael Moratilla-López

    (Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences of Albacete, University of Castilla–La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Guillermo F. López-Sánchez

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

The objective of this work was to examine the perceptions of adults responsible for the care of children in their leisure time about the contribution of public playgrounds to motor, social, and creative development and obesity reduction in children, analyzing these perceptions according to sex, age, educational level, and level of involvement in the child’s education of the participants. The sample consisted of 1019 adults responsible for the care of children in their leisure time in Albacete (Spain). A validated questionnaire was the instrument used to assess perceptions of participants on the influence of the public playgrounds in motor, social, and creative development and obesity reduction of children. The instrument was validated on a first sample of convenience and had good reliability (α = 0.997) and construct validity (CFI = 0.997). The results showed that most participants agreed with the positive contribution of public playgrounds to social skills (78.8%), motor skills (53.7%), creativity (52.2%), and obesity reduction (48.8%) in children. Women, those between 30 and 49 years, those with a higher educational level and those with a higher level of involvement in the child’s education had more positive perceptions regarding the impact of public playgrounds to motor, social, and creative development and obesity reduction in children. These results should be taken in consideration to foster the use of public playgrounds in all sectors of population.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Gil-Madrona & María Martínez-López & Alejandro Prieto-Ayuso & Linda Saraiva & Javier Vecina-Cifuentes & Tomás Vicente-Ballesteros & Rafael Moratilla-López & Guillermo F. López-Sánchez, 2019. "Contribution of Public Playgrounds to Motor, Social, and Creative Development and Obesity Reduction in Children," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:14:p:3787-:d:247342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, Deborah A. & Han, Bing & Derose, Kathryn Pitkin & Williamson, Stephanie & Marsh, Terry & Rudick, Jodi & McKenzie, Thomas L., 2012. "Neighborhood poverty, park use, and park-based physical activity in a Southern California city," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2317-2325.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nacho Sánchez-Valdivia & Carmen Pérez-del-Pulgar & Jeroen de Bont & Isabelle Anguelovski & Antonio López-Gay & Andrea Pistillo & Margarita Triguero-Mas & Talita Duarte-Salles, 2022. "Residential Proximity to Urban Play Spaces and Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Barcelona, Spain: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Rosario Padial-Ruz & Mª Esther Puga-González & Álvaro Céspedes-Jiménez & David Cabello-Manrique, 2021. "Determining Factors in the Use of Urban Parks That Influence the Practice of Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.

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