dc.description.abstract | Time spent outdoors is associated with higher levels of physical activity. To date, correlates of independent
outdoor play have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify potential demographic, behavioural,
environmental and social correlates of children's independent outdoor play.
Data were from the Millennium Cohort Study when children were aged 7 years. Parents reported whether
their children played out unsupervised (yes/no) as well as the above mentioned correlates of unsupervised
outdoor play. Children's physical activity levels were measured using waist worn accelerometry. Multiple logistic
regression was used to examine associations between correlates and odds of independent (unsupervised) outdoor
play. Adjusted multiple linear regression was used to estimate associations between independent outdoor play
and objective measures of physical activity. Activity was measured as average daily moderate-to-vigorous activity,
steps, and sedentary behaviour.
3856 (n = 29%) participants were categorised as engaging in independent outdoor play. Older age, being
white British, being in poverty, living in close proximity to both family friends and family, having fewer internalising
problems, having more externalising conduct problems and fewer pro-social behaviours were associated
with higher odds of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with > 2 additional
minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity (B = 2.21 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.34), > 330 additional steps per
day (B = 336.66 95% CI 209.80 to 463.51), and nearly 5 min less time spent sedentary per day (B = −4.91
95% CI −7.54, −2.29)
Younger children, those from a higher socio-economic-status, those isolated in location from family friends
and family, and those with high levels of prosocial behaviour have lower levels of independent outdoor play.
Independent outdoor play was associated with higher levels of physical activity and less time sedentary. Future
interventions to promote independent outdoor play should target such populations. | en_GB |