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Perceptions about the local neighborhood and walking and cycling among children
journal contribution
posted on 2004-01-01, 00:00 authored by Anna TimperioAnna Timperio, David CrawfordDavid Crawford, Amanda Telford, Jo SalmonJo SalmonBackground. This study examined associations between perceptions of the local neighborhood and walking and cycling among children. Methods. Children aged 5–6 years (n = 291) and 10–12 years (n = 919) were recruited from 19 Australian primary schools. Parents reported their child's usual walking or cycling to local destinations and their perceptions of their neighborhood. Ten- to twelve-year-olds were asked their perceptions of traffic, strangers, road safety and sporting venues, and their perceptions of their parent's views on these issues. Results. Five- to six-year-old boys whose parents believed there was heavy traffic in their area were 2.8 times more likely (95%CI = 1.1–6.8), and 5- to 6-year-old girls whose parents owned more than one car were 70% less likely (95%CI = 0.1–0.8), and whose parents believed that public transport was limited in their area were 60% less likely (95%CI = 0.2–0.9) than other children to walk or cycle at least three times per week. Parental belief that there were no lights or crossings was associated with walking or cycling among 10- to 12-year-old boys (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2–0.7). Among older girls, parent's belief that their child needed to cross several roads to reach play areas (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2–0.8) and that there is limited public transport in their area (OR = 0.7, 95%CI = 0.4–0.97), and child's belief that there were no parks or sports grounds near home (OR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.3–0.8) were associated with a lower likelihood of walking or cycling. Conclusion. Perceptions of the local neighborhood may influence children's physical activity.
History
Journal
Preventive medicineVolume
38Pagination
39 - 47Publisher
ElsevierLocation
New York, NY.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0091-7435eISSN
1096-0260Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2003, American Health Foundation and Elsevier IncUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
environmentphysical activitywalkingtransportchildrenperceptionssafetyScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthMedicine, General & InternalGeneral & Internal MedicinePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORSAUSTRALIAN ADULTSRISK-FACTORSSCHOOLFITNESSHEALTHASSOCIATIONSADOLESCENCE
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