School Playground Conditions and Physical Activity Levels in Children
Background: Almost 20% of children aged 6 to 11 years are obese in the United States, tripling over the last ten years. The rise in childhood obesity challenges nurses in their efforts to improve community health and sustainability. A decrease in physical activity (PA) levels has been associated with an increase in obesity. Increasing PA levels in children while at school can help them reach the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A playground environment is one place where children can have the opportunity to increase MVPA outside of physical education (PE).
Methods: The sample consisted of two Henderson, Nevada elementary school playgrounds which were divided into 35 Target Areas (a predetermined observation area in which students could potentially engage in PA) that were each observed once in the morning for two weeks before school hours using System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth and Recreation in Communities. School B offered a Jog and Walk Stars (JAWS) PA program every day but Wednesdays, and school K offered free play and loose equipment every morning. Each school had approximately 660 students (total of 1320 students). Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22.
Results: At School K, 44% of the Target Areas were supervised and offered loose equipment. At School B, 33% of the Target Areas were supervised and 11% offered loose equipment. At both schools, children participated in MVPA in areas that were supervised compared to areas that were not. Only School B offered an organized PA program in one area, and 99% of the children in this area participated in MVPA, regardless of gender, compared to 57% in other areas. At school K, a higher percentage of children were found to participate in MVPA with loose equipment (44%) compared to areas without loose equipment (39%). Both genders used the jump ropes, tetherballs, and balls for four-square. Boys also used loose balls to play soccer, kickball, and basketball. At School B, minimal loose equipment was offered, which resulted in children participating in the JAWS program.
Implications: When loose equipment is offered on the playground, it may increase PA in children, especially in boys. It is imperative to offer various types of loose equipment that can attract both genders. When an organized PA program is offered, such as JAWS, this can increase MVPA in children. Offering an organized PA program may decrease the need for supervision over large playground spaces because the children are condensed into a smaller area space. A playground environment assessment to identify conditions that promote MVPA may be one avenue to address the need for increasing MVPA levels in children in general, in addition to organized PE classes.