The outdoor environment and children’s health: a multilevel approach

Abstract

Play in an outdoor environment may improve children’s health. Little is known about how characteristics of the outdoor environment in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings influence children’s health. This study explored the relationship between the outdoor environment and children’s health by examining children’s well-being and physical activity in different outdoor environments. The sample consisted of 471 video observations of 80 children’s free play in the outdoor environments of eight ECEC institutions. Multilevel analysis indicated that playing is associated with health outcomes and that nature is positively associated with children’s well-being. Children’s physical activity was found to be positively associated with the use of pathways and open areas. The use of fixed functional equipment, wheeled toys and loose parts emerged as negative predictors of physical activity. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of how the outdoor environment in ECEC settings can influence children’s health.