TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Increasing physical activity in childcare outdoor learning environments: the effect of setting adjacency relative to other built environment and social factors
JO  - Environment and behavior
A1  - Smith, William R.
A1  - Moore, Robin
A1  - Cosco, Nilda
A1  - Wesoloski, Jennifer
A1  - Danninger, Tom
A1  - Ward, Dianne S.
A1  - Trost, Stewart G.
A1  - Ries, Nicole
SP  - 550
EP  - 578
VL  - 48
IS  - 4
N2  - The problem of childhood obesity can be addressed through study of how built environment characteristics can foster physical activity (PA) among preschool children. A sample of 355 behavior settings in 30 childcare center outdoor learning environments (OLEs) was studied using behavioral mapping techniques. Observers coded activity levels of preschool children across behavior settings. The level of PA observed in 6,083 behavioral displays of children aged 3 to 5 was modeled using multi-level statistical techniques. Both adjacency and centrality of play settings were found to be important factors in increasing the degree of PA, net the effect of numerous other variables. In addition, child-to-child interaction was found to foster PA (more for boys than girls) whereas a teacher's custodial actions limit PA. <br><br>RESULTS demonstrate that design of OLE form (particularly adjacency of behavior settings) and content (use of manipulable items such as wheeled toys and balls) facilitates higher levels of PA.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0013-9165
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916514551048
ID  - ref1
ER  -