| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Healthy movement behaviours, including regular physical activity and reduced sedentary time, are important for children’s health and well-being. However, Nova Scotian children fail to meet national 24-hour movement guidelines, necessitating increased opportunities for active transportation (AT) and outdoor play. Movement-friendly communities are crucial in supporting these behaviours. “Let’s Get Moving Nova Scotia” is an action plan to create an active and healthier population. Related investments have enhanced built and social environments in communities in the province and are being assessed in the “Communities on the Move” evaluation. During phases 1 and 2 of the evaluation, differences in community-wide movement behaviours were assessed broadly across all age groups. Purpose: This study aimed to understand how built and social environment interventions have impacted children's AT and outdoor play in Nova Scotia by exploring the following research questions: (1) What differences do we observe in children’s AT and outdoor play from phase 1 to phase 2? (2) Are there differences in AT and outdoor play at phase 1 and phase 2 by gender, and does the proportion of girls and boys engaging in AT and outdoor play change between these periods? (3) What factors underlie the observed changes in AT and outdoor play between phase 1 and phase 2, and what are the perceptions and experiences of these changes from community leaders and children? Methods: To evaluate children’s AT and outdoor play, we used a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. We conducted age- and gender-perceived counts of walkers, wheelers, and cyclists in key locations in communities and used the SOPARC tool (i.e., the system for observing play and recreation in communities) at two timepoints (T1: baseline; T2: one-year follow-up). We conducted a follow-up focus group and document reviews to contextualize the findings. Descriptive statistics and content analysis summarized quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: Count and SOPARC findings showed variations in children's engagement in AT and outdoor play across community settings and genders. While two communities saw an increase in children's AT from phase 1 to phase 2, one experienced a decline. Although overall outdoor play decreased, observed activities showed higher physical activity intensities. A follow-up focus group emphasized the role of supportive built (e.g., sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic calming features) and social (e.g., parental support, perceptions of safety) environments in facilitating children’s movement. Conclusions: Interventions targeting built and social environments yielded modest increases in children’s AT and outdoor play. However, sustained evaluations are necessary to determine their long-term impact. Ensuring safe, well-connected AT infrastructure and accessible outdoor play spaces, alongside traffic safety measures are vital for fostering these behaviours. Social factors at family and community levels play a significant role in how the built environment is accessed and utilized; thus, combined interventions are pivotal for enhancing children's participation. Further research is needed to examine determinants of children’s movement behaviours. As well, future research should explore gender-specific determinants to tailor more inclusive interventions. Lastly, future health promotion research, policy, and practice should incorporate children’s voices and perspectives into the development of environmental interventions. | en_US |
