Features of public open spaces and physical activity among children: Findings from the CLAN study

Objective To examine associations between features of public open spaces, and childrenʹs physical activity. Participants 163 children aged 8–9 years and 334 adolescents aged 13–15 years from Melbourne, Australia participated in 2004. Methods A Geographic Information System was used to identify all public open spaces (POS) within 800 m of participantsʹ homes and their closest POS. The features of all POS identified were audited in 2004/5. Accelerometers measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after school and on weekends. Linear regression analyses examined associations between features of the closest POS and participantsʹ MVPA. Results Most participants had a POS within 800 m of their home. The presence of playgrounds was positively associated with younger boysʹ weekend MVPA (B = 24.9 min/day; p ≤ 0.05), and lighting along paths was inversely associated with weekend MVPA (B = − 54.9 min/day; p ≤ 0.05). The number of recreational facilities was inversely associated with younger girlsʹ MVPA after school (B = − 2.6 min/day; p ≤ 0.05) and on the weekend (B = − 8.7 min/day; p ≤ 0.05). The presence of trees providing shade (5.8 min/day, p ≤ 0.01) and signage regarding dogs (B = 6.8 min/day, p ≤ 0.05) were positively associated with adolescent girlsʹ MVPA after school. Conclusion Certain features of POS were associated with participantsʹ MVPA, although mixed associations were evident. Further research is required to clarify these complex relationships.