IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i24p7149-d1295265.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Outdoor Time in Childhood: A Mixed Methods Approach to Identify Barriers and Opportunities for Intervention in a Racially and Ethnically Mixed Population

Author

Listed:
  • Magdalena K. Haakenstad

    (Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA)

  • Maria B. Butcher

    (Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA)

  • Carolyn J. Noonan

    (Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA)

  • Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson

    (Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA 98101, USA)

Abstract

A growing body of literature suggests that outdoor time is beneficial for physical and mental health in childhood. Profound disparities exist in access to outdoor spaces (and the health benefits thereof) for children in communities of color. The objectives of this research were to: (1) identify challenges and solutions to outdoor time for children; (2) assess the importance of outdoor time for children; and (3) evaluate results stratified by race/ethnicity. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, we conducted a thematic analysis from 14 focus groups ( n = 50) with outdoor educators, parents with children attending outdoor preschools, and community members with children. In addition, 49 participants completed a survey to identify challenges and solutions, perceived importance, and culturally relevant perspectives of outdoor time. The main challenges identified for outdoor time were safety concerns, inclement weather, lack of access to outdoor spaces, and parent work schedules. The primary proposed solution was integrating outdoor time into the school day. Nearly all participants, independent of racial identity, reported that outdoor time improved physical and mental health. Overall outdoor time was lower in participants from communities of color (~8 h/week) compared to their White counterparts (~10 h/week). While 50% of people of color (POC) reported that outdoor time was an important cultural value, only 18% reported that people in their respective culture spent time outside. This work contributes to accumulating knowledge that unique barriers to outdoor time exist for communities of color, and the children that live, learn, and play in these communities. Increasing outdoor time in school settings offers a potential solution to reduce identified barriers and to promote health equity in childhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Magdalena K. Haakenstad & Maria B. Butcher & Carolyn J. Noonan & Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson, 2023. "Outdoor Time in Childhood: A Mixed Methods Approach to Identify Barriers and Opportunities for Intervention in a Racially and Ethnically Mixed Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(24), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:24:p:7149-:d:1295265
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/24/7149/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/24/7149/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:mpr:mprres:4373 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Birute Balseviciene & Liuda Sinkariova & Regina Grazuleviciene & Sandra Andrusaityte & Inga Uzdanaviciute & Audrius Dedele & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2014. "Impact of Residential Greenness on Preschool Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Kuo, F.E. & Faber Taylor, A., 2004. "A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Evidence from a national study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1580-1586.
    4. Michelle C. Kondo & Jaime M. Fluehr & Thomas McKeon & Charles C. Branas, 2018. "Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jun-Hyun Kim & Chanam Lee & Wonmin Sohn, 2016. "Urban Natural Environments, Obesity, and Health-Related Quality of Life among Hispanic Children Living in Inner-City Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Linda Powers Tomasso & Jie Yin & Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent & Jarvis T. Chen & Paul J. Catalano & John D. Spengler, 2021. "The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Wellbeing across Urban Gradients under COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Isabel Holland & Nicole V. DeVille & Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Ryan M. Buehler & Jaime E. Hart & J. Aaron Hipp & Richard Mitchell & Donald A. Rakow & Jessica E. Schiff & Mathew P. White & Jie Yin & , 2021. "Measuring Nature Contact: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Hui, Ling Chui & Jim, C.Y., 2022. "Urban-greenery demands are affected by perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices, and socio-demographic and environmental-cultural factors," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    5. Amber L. Pearson & Victoria Breeze & Aaron Reuben & Gwen Wyatt, 2021. "Increased Use of Porch or Backyard Nature during COVID-19 Associated with Lower Stress and Better Symptom Experience among Breast Cancer Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Malik, Khyati & Kim, Sowon & Cultice, Brian J., 2023. "The impact of remote work on green space values in regional housing markets," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    7. Fei Qin & Yiqing Song & George P Nassis & Lina Zhao & Yanan Dong & Cuicui Zhao & Yiwei Feng & Jiexiu Zhao, 2020. "Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Emotional Well-Being during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    8. A. Haven Kiers & Billy Krimmel & Caroline Larsen-Bircher & Kate Hayes & Ash Zemenick & Julia Michaels, 2022. "Different Jargon, Same Goals: Collaborations between Landscape Architects and Ecologists to Maximize Biodiversity in Urban Lawn Conversions," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, September.
    9. Zhen Yang & Weijun Gao, 2022. "Evaluating the Coordinated Development between Urban Greening and Economic Growth in Chinese Cities during 2005 to 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-25, August.
    10. Natália Cristina de Oliveira & Pedro Balikian Júnior & Arnaldo Tenório da Cunha Júnior & Edson de Souza Bento & Josealdo Tonholo & Thiago Aquino & Filipe Antonio de Barros Sousa & Gustavo Gomes de Ara, 2023. "Environmental Planning and Non-Communicable Diseases: A Systematic Review on the Role of the Metabolomic Profile," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-15, July.
    11. Yonatal Tefera & Veronica Soebarto & Courtney Bishop & John Kandulu & Carmel Williams, 2023. "A Scoping Review of Urban Planning Decision Support Tools and Processes That Account for the Health, Environment, and Economic Benefits of Trees and Greenspace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-28, December.
    12. Lisa Dandolo & Christina Hartig & Klaus Telkmann & Sophie Horstmann & Lars Schwettmann & Peter Selsam & Alexandra Schneider & Gabriele Bolte & on behalf of the INGER Study Group, 2022. "Decision Tree Analyses to Explore the Relevance of Multiple Sex/Gender Dimensions for the Exposure to Green Spaces: Results from the KORA INGER Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-25, June.
    13. Jeremy Mennis & Xiaojiang Li & Mahbubur Meenar & J. Douglas Coatsworth & Thomas P. McKeon & Michael J. Mason, 2021. "Residential Greenspace and Urban Adolescent Substance Use: Exploring Interactive Effects with Peer Network Health, Sex, and Executive Function," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    14. Amber L. Pearson & Catherine D. Brown & Aaron Reuben & Natalie Nicholls & Karin A. Pfeiffer & Kimberly A. Clevenger, 2023. "Elementary Classroom Views of Nature Are Associated with Lower Child Externalizing Behavior Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-14, April.
    15. Lisa Dandolo & Klaus Telkmann & Christina Hartig & Sophie Horstmann & Sara Pedron & Lars Schwettmann & Peter Selsam & Alexandra Schneider & Gabriele Bolte & on behalf of the INGER Study Group, 2023. "Do Multiple Sex/Gender Dimensions Play a Role in the Association of Green Space and Self-Rated Health? Model-Based Recursive Partitioning Results from the KORA INGER Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-23, March.
    16. Sera Kim & Honghyok Kim & Jong-Tae Lee, 2019. "Interactions between Ambient Air Particles and Greenness on Cause-specific Mortality in Seven Korean Metropolitan Cities, 2008–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-10, May.
    17. Adriano Bressane & Mirela Beatriz Silva & Ana Paula Garcia Goulart & Líliam César de Castro Medeiros, 2024. "Understanding How Green Space Naturalness Impacts Public Well-Being: Prospects for Designing Healthier Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-11, May.
    18. Xavier Perafita & Marc Saez, 2023. "Housing Supply and How It Is Related to Social Inequalities—Air Pollution, Green Spaces, Crime Levels, and Poor Areas—In Catalonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-24, April.
    19. Kirsten M. M. Beyer & Andrea Kaltenbach & Aniko Szabo & Sandra Bogar & F. Javier Nieto & Kristen M. Malecki, 2014. "Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    20. Bram Oosterbroek & Joop de Kraker & Maud M. T. E. Huynen & Pim Martens, 2024. "Integrated Assessment of Health Benefits and Burdens of Urban Greenspace Designs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:24:p:7149-:d:1295265. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.