TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of outdoor environment influence children´s health
T2 - A cross-sectional study of preschools
AU - Söderström, Margareta
AU - Boldemann, Cecilia
AU - Sahlin, Ullrika
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - Aim: To test how the quality of the outdoor environment of child day care centres (DCCs) influences children's health. Methods: The environment was assessed using the Outdoor Play Environmental Categories (OPEC) tool, time spent outdoors and physical activity as measured by pedometer. 172/253 (68%) of children aged 3.0-5.9 from nine DCCs participated in Southern Sweden. Health data collected were body mass index, waist circumference, saliva cortisol, length of night sleep during study, and symptoms and well-being which were scored (1-week diary - 121 parent responders). Also, parent-rated well-being and health of their child were scored (questionnaire, 132 parent responders). MANOVA, ANOVA and principal component analyses were performed to identify impacts of the outdoor environment on health. Results: High-quality outdoor environment at DCCs is associated with several health aspects in children such as leaner body, longer night sleep, better well-being and higher mid-morning saliva cortisol levels. Conclusion: The quality of the outdoor environment at DCCs influenced the health and well-being of preschool children and should be given more attention among health care professionals and community planners.
AB - Aim: To test how the quality of the outdoor environment of child day care centres (DCCs) influences children's health. Methods: The environment was assessed using the Outdoor Play Environmental Categories (OPEC) tool, time spent outdoors and physical activity as measured by pedometer. 172/253 (68%) of children aged 3.0-5.9 from nine DCCs participated in Southern Sweden. Health data collected were body mass index, waist circumference, saliva cortisol, length of night sleep during study, and symptoms and well-being which were scored (1-week diary - 121 parent responders). Also, parent-rated well-being and health of their child were scored (questionnaire, 132 parent responders). MANOVA, ANOVA and principal component analyses were performed to identify impacts of the outdoor environment on health. Results: High-quality outdoor environment at DCCs is associated with several health aspects in children such as leaner body, longer night sleep, better well-being and higher mid-morning saliva cortisol levels. Conclusion: The quality of the outdoor environment at DCCs influenced the health and well-being of preschool children and should be given more attention among health care professionals and community planners.
U2 - 10.1111/apa.12047
DO - 10.1111/apa.12047
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0803-5253
VL - 102
SP - 83
EP - 91
JO - Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, Supplement
JF - Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, Supplement
IS - 1
ER -