Shade coverage, ultraviolet radiation and children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care

H. Christian; L. Lester; S.G. Trost; G. Trapp; J. Schipperijn; B. Boruff; C. Maitland; Z. Jeemi; M. Rosenberg; P. Barber; H. Eslick

doi:10.1007/s00038-019-01289-y

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Shade coverage, ultraviolet radiation and children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Shade coverage, ultraviolet radiation and children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care

H. Christian, L. Lester, S.G. Trost, G. Trapp, J. Schipperijn, B. Boruff, C. Maitland, Z. Jeemi, M. Rosenberg, P. Barber, …

International Journal of Public Health, Vol.64, pp.1325-1333

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01289-y

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between shade coverage in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres and pre-school children’s physical activity, outdoor time and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Methods: A total of 48 ECEC centres (678 children) in the Western Australian Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study took part. Physical activity at ECEC was measured using 7-day accelerometry. UVR exposure was measured using polysulphone film attached to children’s shoulders. Educators reported time spent outdoors. The Shade Factor and remote sensing imagery captured shade coverage. Results: Centre vegetation but not Shade Factor was significantly negatively associated with children’s UVR exposure (p < 0.001). Higher levels of vegetation were associated with increased time outdoors, but higher levels of the Shade Factor were associated with decreased time outdoors (all p < 0.001). Neither shade measure was significantly associated with physical activity. Outdoor time moderated the relationships between shade measures, physical activity and UVR exposure. Conclusions: The provision of shade, particularly through natural forms such as tree canopy, is an important sun protection strategy and enabler of outdoor time in children attending ECEC.

Details

Title: Shade coverage, ultraviolet radiation and children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care
Authors/Creators: H. Christian (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
L. Lester (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
S.G. Trost (Author/Creator) - Queensland University of Technology
G. Trapp (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
J. Schipperijn (Author/Creator) - University of Southern Denmark
B. Boruff (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
C. Maitland (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
Z. Jeemi (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
M. Rosenberg (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
P. Barber (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
H. Eslick (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: International Journal of Public Health, Vol.64, pp.1325-1333
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Identifiers: 991005542949707891
Copyright: © 2019 Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+)
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.44 Nutrition & Dietetics; 1.44.103 Physical Activity
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general