Children´s sun protection need not conflict with health promoting physical activity: KIDSCAPE: A study of preschool outdoor environments in Sweden and North Carolina

TY - ABST

T1 - Children´s sun protection need not conflict with health promoting physical activity

T2 - International Joint workshop

AU - Söderström, Margareta

AU - Boldemann, Cecilia

AU - Wester, Ulf

AU - Blennow, Margareta

AU - Bieber, Brad

AU - Cosco, Nilda

AU - Dal, Henrik

AU - Moore, Robin

AU - Mårtensson, Fredrika

AU - Pagels1, Peter

AU - Raunstorp, Anders

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - ABSTRACT: Preschool children´s sun exposure was measured 2009 with UV-dosimeters at nine preschools in Malmö 55°N, in southern Sweden and at two in Raleigh 36°N, North Carolina, USA at comparable seasons. Outdoor playground environment was explored how play facilities, available space and vegetation influenced UV-exposure and also children´s physical activity measured with step-counters. In Malmö access to spacious outdoor play settings with vegetation decreased sunburn risk and increased physical activity during children´s free play in May - also during long stay outdoor. Results from Raleigh in April also indicate that vegetation is sunprotective when children play. Favourable outdoor environment may promote both sun protection and physical activity in a Nordic spring or summer climate, while for physical activity, this might not be so pronounced at a southern mid-latitude due to the role of climate and associated factors.

AB - ABSTRACT: Preschool children´s sun exposure was measured 2009 with UV-dosimeters at nine preschools in Malmö 55°N, in southern Sweden and at two in Raleigh 36°N, North Carolina, USA at comparable seasons. Outdoor playground environment was explored how play facilities, available space and vegetation influenced UV-exposure and also children´s physical activity measured with step-counters. In Malmö access to spacious outdoor play settings with vegetation decreased sunburn risk and increased physical activity during children´s free play in May - also during long stay outdoor. Results from Raleigh in April also indicate that vegetation is sunprotective when children play. Favourable outdoor environment may promote both sun protection and physical activity in a Nordic spring or summer climate, while for physical activity, this might not be so pronounced at a southern mid-latitude due to the role of climate and associated factors.

KW - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

KW - sun-prtoection

KW - physical acitivity, child day care,

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

Y2 - 18 May 2011 through 20 May 2011

ER -