title: The influence of neighbourhood green space on children's physical activity and screen time: findings from the longitudinal study of Australian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is often hypothesised that neighbourhood green space may help prevent well-known declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour that occur across childhood. As most studies in this regard are cross-sectional, the purpose of our study was to use longitudinal data to examine whether green space promotes active lifestyles as children grow older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from participants (n = 4983; age = 4-5) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a nationally representative study on health and child development. Physical activity and screen time were measured biennially (2004-2012) using questionnaires and time use diaries. Quantity of neighbourhood green space was objectively measured using Australian Bureau of Statistics mesh block data for each participant's statistical area level 2. Multilevel regression was used to test for associations between physical activity and screen time with green space quantity, adjusting for socio-economic confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Boys living in areas with 10% more neighbourhood green space had a: 7% (95% CI = 1.02, 1.13) greater odds of choosing physically active pastimes; 8% (95 % CI = 0.85, 1.00) lower odds of not enjoying physical activity; 2.3 min reduction in weekend television viewing (95% CI = -4.00, -0.69); and 7% (95% CI = 1.02; 1.12) and 9% (95% CI = 1.03; 1.15) greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines on weekdays and weekends, respectively. No statistically (or practically) significant results were observed for girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current provisions of neighbourhood green space may be more amenable to promoting active lifestyles among boys than girls. Research is needed to explore what types of green space promote active lifestyles in all children.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, NSW, Australia. t.sanders@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Taren
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.|Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2722, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.|Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.|School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2722, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, NSW, Australia. p.fahey@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Paul P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Fahey
authors.affiliation: Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, 2135, NSW, Australia. chris.lonsdale@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonsdale
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, NSW, Australia. t.astell-burt@westernsydney.edu.au.|School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK. t.astell-burt@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Astell-Burt
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018910:Video Games / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*