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Measuring Blue Space Visibility and ‘Blue Recreation’ in the Everyday Lives of Children in a Capital City

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  • Amber L. Pearson

    (Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
    Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
    Environmental Science and Policy Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Ross Bottomley

    (Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Tim Chambers

    (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
    Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Lukar Thornton

    (School of Exercise and Nutritional Science, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia)

  • James Stanley

    (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand)

  • Moira Smith

    (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand)

  • Michelle Barr

    (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand)

  • Louise Signal

    (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand)

Abstract

Blue spaces (water bodies) may promote positive mental and physical health through opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and social connections. However, we know little about the nature and extent of everyday exposure to blue spaces, particularly in settings outside the home or among children, nor whether exposure varies by individual or household characteristics. Wearable cameras offer a novel, reliable method for blue space exposure measurement. In this study, we used images from cameras worn over two days by 166 children in Wellington, New Zealand, and conducted content and blue space quantification analysis on each image ( n = 749,389). Blue space was identified in 24,721 images (3.6%), with a total of 23 blue recreation events. Visual exposure and participation in blue recreation did not differ by ethnicity, weight status, household deprivation, or residential proximity to the coastline. Significant differences in both visual exposure to blue space and participation in blue recreation were observed, whereby children from the most deprived schools had significantly higher rates of blue space exposure than children from low deprivation schools. Schools may be important settings to promote equitable blue space exposures. Childhood exposures to blue space may not follow the expected income inequality trends observed among adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Amber L. Pearson & Ross Bottomley & Tim Chambers & Lukar Thornton & James Stanley & Moira Smith & Michelle Barr & Louise Signal, 2017. "Measuring Blue Space Visibility and ‘Blue Recreation’ in the Everyday Lives of Children in a Capital City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:563-:d:99773
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mireia Gascon & Margarita Triguero-Mas & David Martínez & Payam Dadvand & Joan Forns & Antoni Plasència & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2015. "Mental Health Benefits of Long-Term Exposure to Residential Green and Blue Spaces: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-26, April.
    2. Giovanna Calogiuri, 2016. "Natural Environments and Childhood Experiences Promoting Physical Activity, Examining the Mediational Effects of Feelings about Nature and Social Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xindi Zhang & Yixin Zhang & Jun Zhai & Yongfa Wu & Anyuan Mao, 2021. "Waterscapes for Promoting Mental Health in the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Carlos Ojeda Sánchez & Javier García-Pérez & Diana Gómez-Barroso & Alejandro Domínguez-Castillo & Elena Pardo Romaguera & Adela Cañete & Juan A. Ortega-García & Rebeca Ramis, 2022. "Exploring Blue Spaces’ Effects on Childhood Leukaemia Incidence: A Population-Based Case–Control Study in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.

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