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What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Amalie Lambert

    (Intern Architect, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada)

  • Janae Vlaar

    (Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Suite 440, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Susan Herrington

    (School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 379-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Mariana Brussoni

    (Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Injury Research & Prevention Unit, F511-4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

Abstract

Outdoor play has been associated with children’s and adolescents’ healthy development and physical activity. Attributes of the neighbourhood built environment can influence play behaviours. This systematic review examined the relationship between attributes of the neighbourhood built environment and the time children and adolescents (0–18 years) spend in self-directed outdoor play. We identified and evaluated 18 relevant papers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and developed a narrative synthesis of study results. We found moderate evidence that lower traffic volumes (ages 6–11), yard access (ages 3–10), and increased neighbourhood greenness (ages 2–15) were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play, as well as limited evidence that specific traffic-calming street features such as fewer intersections, low traffic speeds, neighbourhood disorder, and low residential density were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The limited number of “good quality” studies identified highlights the need for additional research on the topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Amalie Lambert & Janae Vlaar & Susan Herrington & Mariana Brussoni, 2019. "What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-35, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3840-:d:275261
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Richard Larouche & Madeline Kleinfeld & Ulises Charles Rodriguez & Cheryl Hatten & Victoria Hecker & David R. Scott & Leanna Marie Brown & Ogochukwu K. Onyeso & Farzana Sadia & Hanako Shimamura, 2023. "Determinants of Outdoor Time in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-33, January.
    3. Janet Loebach & Marcos Sanches & Julia Jaffe & Tara Elton-Marshall, 2021. "Paving the Way for Outdoor Play: Examining Socio-Environmental Barriers to Community-Based Outdoor Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Qiang Wang & Jiameng Ma & Akira Maehashi & Hyunshik Kim, 2020. "The Associations between Outdoor Playtime, Screen-Viewing Time, and Environmental Factors in Chinese Young Children: The “Eat, Be Active and Sleep Well” Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Adriana Ortegon-Sanchez & Rosemary R. C. McEachan & Alexandra Albert & Chris Cartwright & Nicola Christie & Ashley Dhanani & Shahid Islam & Marcella Ucci & Laura Vaughan, 2021. "Measuring the Built Environment in Studies of Child Health—A Meta-Narrative Review of Associations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-34, October.
    6. Trina Robinson & Andrea Nathan & Kevin Murray & Hayley Christian, 2022. "Parents’ Perceptions of the Neighbourhood Built Environment Are Associated with the Social and Emotional Development of Young Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-14, May.
    7. Josephine Y. Chau & Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani & Helen Little, 2023. "Navigating Neighbourhood Opposition and Climate Change: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Play Street Pilot in Sydney, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    8. Helen F. Dodd & Lily FitzGibbon & Brooke E. Watson & Rachel J. Nesbit, 2021. "Children’s Play and Independent Mobility in 2020: Results from the British Children’s Play Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    9. Nicole Rheinheimer & Stefania V. Vacaru & Julie C. van Immerseel & Simone Kühn & Carolina de Weerth, 2024. "Infant Care: Predictors of Outdoor Walking, Infant Carrying and Infant Outdoor Sleeping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-24, May.
    10. Mildred E. Warner & Xue Zhang, 2020. "Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    11. Yang Zhou & Meng Wang & Siming Lin & Caiyun Qian, 2022. "Relationship between Children’s Independent Activities and the Built Environment of Outdoor Activity Space in Residential Neighborhoods: A Case Study of Nanjing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-24, August.
    12. Javier Molina-García & Cristina Menescardi & Isaac Estevan & Ana Queralt, 2021. "Associations between Park and Playground Availability and Proximity and Children’s Physical Activity and Body Mass Index: The BEACH Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-14, December.

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