title: Cross-sectional associations between high-deprivation home and neighbourhood environments, and health-related variables among Liverpool children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To investigate differences in health-related, home and neighbourhood environmental variables between Liverpool children living in areas of high deprivation (HD) and medium-to-high deprivation (MD) and (2) to assess associations between these perceived home and neighbourhood environments and health-related variables stratified by deprivation group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 Liverpool primary schools in 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  194 children aged 9-10 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health-related variables (self-reported physical activity (PA) (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, PAQ-C), cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI) z-scores, waist circumference), home environment variables: (garden/backyard access, independent mobility, screen-based media restrictions, bedroom media) and neighbourhood walkability (Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth, NEWS-Y).
  
  
  METHODS
  Area deprivation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between HD and MD children's BMI z-scores (p<0.01), waist circumference (p<0.001) and cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.01). HD children had significantly higher bedroom media availability (p<0.05) and independent mobility scores than MD children (p<0.05). MD children had significantly higher residential density and neighbourhood aesthetics scores, and lower crime safety, pedestrian and road traffic safety scores than HD children, all of which indicated higher walkability (p<0.01). HD children's BMI z-scores (β=-0.29, p<0.01) and waist circumferences (β=-0.27, p<0.01) were inversely associated with neighbourhood aesthetics. HD children's PA was negatively associated with bedroom media (β=-0.24, p<0.01), and MD children's PA was positively associated with independent mobility (β=0.25, p<0.01). MD children's independent mobility was inversely associated with crime safety (β=-0.28, p<0.01) and neighbourhood aesthetics (β=-0.24, p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children living in HD areas had the least favourable health-related variables and were exposed to home and neighbourhood environments that are unconducive to health-promoting behaviours. Less access to bedroom media equipment and greater independent mobility were strongly associated with higher PA in HD and MD children, respectively. Facilitating independent mobility and encouraging outdoor play may act as effective strategies to enhance PA levels and reduce sedentary time in primary school-aged children.
authors.affiliation: The Physical Activity Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Noonan
authors.affiliation: The Physical Activity Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
authors.forename: Lynne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Boddy
authors.affiliation: The Physical Activity Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
authors.forename: Zoe R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fairclough
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D004779:Environment Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011156:Population Density; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: Children; Deprivation; Independent mobility; Neighbourhood; Physical activity