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Associations between Parent–Child Nature Visits and Sleep, Physical Activity and Weight Status among Finnish 3–6-Year-Olds

Author

Listed:
  • Juuli-Mari Kokkonen

    (Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Henna Vepsäläinen

    (Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Anna Abdollahi

    (Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Hanna Paasio

    (Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Samuli Ranta

    (School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland)

  • Maijaliisa Erkkola

    (Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Eva Roos

    (Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Public Health, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 560, 751 22 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Carola Ray

    (Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Nature visits and nature exposure have been shown to be favorably associated with children’s health and development, but the research regarding their associations with children’s lifestyle habits is limited. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between the frequency of parent–child nature visits and sleep, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and weight status among three- to six-year-old Finnish preschoolers. Parents and their children (n = 864) participated in a cross-sectional DAGIS (increased health and wellbeing in preschools) study, which was conducted between 2015 and 2016 in Finland. In total, 798 parents answered a questionnaire on the frequency of parent–child nature visits, which also included questions on sociodemographic factors and their children’s sleep habits. Parents also reported children’s bedtimes and wake-up times and children wore an accelerometer for seven days. Trained researchers measured children’s weight and height. Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted. More frequent parent–child nature visits were associated with children’s longer sleep duration at night, higher amounts of MVPA outside preschool time and, among girls, good sleep consistency. The frequency of parent–child nature visits was not significantly associated with whether children were overweight or obese or not. Promoting parent–child nature visits could be a cost-effective way to increase young children’s MVPA and enhance night-time sleep.

Suggested Citation

  • Juuli-Mari Kokkonen & Henna Vepsäläinen & Anna Abdollahi & Hanna Paasio & Samuli Ranta & Maijaliisa Erkkola & Eva Roos & Carola Ray, 2021. "Associations between Parent–Child Nature Visits and Sleep, Physical Activity and Weight Status among Finnish 3–6-Year-Olds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12426-:d:688222
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elviira Lehto & Carola Ray & Henna Vepsäläinen & Liisa Korkalo & Reetta Lehto & Riikka Kaukonen & Eira Suhonen & Mari Nislin & Kaija Nissinen & Essi Skaffari & Leena Koivusilta & Nina Sajaniemi & Maij, 2018. "Increased Health and Wellbeing in Preschools (DAGIS) Study—Differences in Children’s Energy Balance-Related Behaviors (EBRBs) and in Long-Term Stress by Parental Educational Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    3. 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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