Active Families in the Great Outdoors: a program to promote family outdoor physical activity

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated a 4-week program to increase the time families spent engaging in outdoor activity. Parents were provided strategies to increase family outdoor activity and locations to be active. Sixteen families completed the program. Duration and number of family outdoor activity bouts per week, type of activities, locations, and family member attendance were measured using logs. Pre/post surveys were conducted to determine the usefulness of providing educational resources and maps. Compared to baseline (216.1±127.3 min/week), family outdoor activity for weeks 1 (316.1±180.2 min/week), 2 (351.1±209.1 min/week), and 4 (317.5±186.8 min/week) were significantly greater at follow-up. At follow-up, parents reported increased regular exercise and encouragement for their child to be active. Children reported adults engaged in physical activity with them and increased transportation to places to be active. This novel program increased family outdoor activity levels and contributes to limited research on strategies to increase outdoor activity in youth.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• home
• parents
• physical activity
• outdoor time
• nature

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer I. Flynn

Jennifer I. Flynn is visiting instructor in Exercise Science at Maryville College, USA. Dr Flynn’s research focuses on the influences of the family on children’s outdoor time, physical activity levels and health-related outcomes. Additionally, her research focuses on how outdoor time can be used to increase physical activity levels of children and adolescents.

David R. Bassett

David R. Bassett, Jr is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, USA. Dr Bassett’s research focuses on the measurement of physical activity and energy expenditure.

Hillary N. Fouts

Hillary N. Fouts is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, USA. Dr Fouts research focuses on young children’s play and cultural learning and the social and emotional contexts of infant and child feeding practices. Additionally, Dr Fouts’ research has a focus on how culture and environmental risk relate to parenting strategies and parent–child interactions, and understanding the effects of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on infant and toddler care practices.

Dixie L. Thompson

Dixie L. Thompson is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies and is the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Tennessee, USA. Dr Thompson’s research focuses on the health benefits of exercise for women and techniques used for body composition assessments.

Dawn P. Coe

Dawn P. Coe is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, USA. Dr Coe is a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr Coe’s research focuses on physical activity assessment in youth as well as the impact of physical activity and physical fitness on academic success in children and adolescents.