1
|
Martin G, Graat M, Medeiros A, Clark AF, Button BLG, Ferguson KN, Gilliland JA. Perceived neighbourhood safety moderates the relationship between active school travel and health-related quality of life. Health Place 2021; 70:102623. [PMID: 34265633 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There is a dearth of studies examining associations between active school travel and children's health-related quality of life. Additionally, studies have not examined how perceived neighbourhood characteristics may moderate these associations. This study aims to examine the relationship between regular active school travel, children's physical and psychosocial health-related quality of life, and the potential moderating effects of their perceived neighbourhood safety (interpersonal and traffic). This cross-sectional study used data from Ontario schoolchildren (aged 8-14) as part of the Spatial Temporal Environment and Activity Monitoring (STEAM) Project. Results showed no significant direct relationship between regular active school travel and children's physical or psychosocial functioning; but the relationships were moderated by perceived neighbourhood safety. Regular active school travelers with high levels of perceived neighbourhood interpersonal safety, had higher physical and psychosocial functioning than regular active school travelers with low levels of perceived neighbourhood interpersonal safety. Additionally, at higher levels of perceived neighbourhood traffic safety, regular active school travelers had higher psychosocial functioning than regular active school travelers with lower perceived neighbourhood traffic safety. Interventions promoting active school travel should consider the environments through which children will be traveling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Martin
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada
| | - Megan Graat
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Alina Medeiros
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Andrew F Clark
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Brenton L G Button
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Medical Education Research Lab in the North, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Kendra Nelson Ferguson
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Jason A Gilliland
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada; School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Larson N, Slaughter-Acey J, Alexander T, Berge J, Harnack L, Neumark-Sztainer D. Emerging adults' intersecting experiences of food insecurity, unsafe neighbourhoods and discrimination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:519-530. [PMID: 33092665 PMCID: PMC7683815 DOI: 10.1017/s136898002000422x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine how food insecurity is related to emerging adults' food behaviours and experiences of neighbourhood safety and discrimination and to identify resources needed to support their health during the COVID-19 outbreak. DESIGN Rapid response online survey. Participants completed the six-item US Household Food Security Survey Module, a brief measure of food insufficiency, and measures of food behaviours, neighbourhood safety and discrimination. Open-ended questions were used to assess changes in eating behaviours during COVID-19 and needed resources. SETTING C-EAT (COVID-19 Eating and Activity over Time) study invitations were sent by email and text message to a longitudinal cohort. PARTICIPANTS A total of 218 emerging adults (mean age = 24·6 (sd 2·0) years, 70·2 % female) completed a survey in April-May 2020 during a stay-at-home order in Minnesota. RESULTS The past year prevalence of food insecurity was 28·4 %. Among food-insecure respondents, 41·0 % reported both eating less and experiencing hunger due to lack of money in the past month. Food-insecure respondents were less likely than those who were food secure to have fruits/vegetables at home and more likely to have frequent fast-food restaurant meals, feel unsafe in their neighbourhood and experience discrimination during the stay-at-home order. Food-insecure adults reported changes including eating more food prepared at home, eating more take-out restaurant meals and purchasing more energy-dense snacks as a result of events related to COVID-19. Resources most needed to support their health included eligibility for more food assistance and relief funds. CONCLUSIONS Food-insecure emerging adults experience many barriers to maintaining healthful eating patterns during COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Larson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN55454, USA
| | - Jaime Slaughter-Acey
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN55454, USA
| | - Tricia Alexander
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN55454, USA
| | - Jerica Berge
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lisa Harnack
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN55454, USA
| | - Dianne Neumark-Sztainer
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN55454, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Timmermans EJ, Veldhuizen EM, Mäki-Opas T, Snijder MB, Lakerveld J, Kunst AE. Associations of neighbourhood safety with leisure-time walking and cycling in population subgroups: The HELIUS study. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2019; 31:100300. [PMID: 31677765 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2019.100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
To create neighbourhood environments that encourage physical activity, it is important to know which neighbourhood characteristics are most influential. We examined the association of neighbourhood safety with leisure-time walking and cycling in the population at large, as well as in some subgroups in terms of sex, age, ethnicity and socio-economic position. We used data of 19,914 participants (18-70 years) from a study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Leisure-time walking and cycling in minutes/week were assessed with standard questionnaire. Geographic Information System techniques were used to examine neighbourhood safety (range = 1-10). Multilevel linear regression analyses showed positive associations between safety and walking (B = 7.9, 95% CI = -6.2-21.9) and cycling (B = 14.8, 95% CI = 2.5-27.1), but only the association with cycling was statistically significant. Higher safety levels were significantly associated with more cycling in women and individuals of Turkish and Moroccan origin. Stronger evidence is needed to inform policies to stimulate walking and cycling by improving neighbourhood safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Timmermans
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Eleonore M Veldhuizen
- Department of Geography, Planning & International Development Studies, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tomi Mäki-Opas
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Department of Social Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marieke B Snijder
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Lakerveld
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, VU University medical center, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Global Geo Health Data Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anton E Kunst
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Laurin I, Guay D, Fournier M, Blanchard D, Bigras N. Quelle est l'association entre les caractéristiques résidentielles et du quartier et le développement de l'enfant à la maternelle? Can J Public Health 2018; 109:35-42. [PMID: 29981070 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-018-0024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluate the association between residential and neighbourhood characteristics of families and children and the latter's development, using data from the Montréal Survey on the Preschool Experiences of Children in Kindergarten (MSPECK). METHOD A sample of 1101 children was extracted from a survey frame that included Montréal children assessed in the 2012 Québec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten (2012 QSCDK). Data collected from the children's parents were used to document the following residential and neighbourhood characteristics (independent variables): material deprivation in the neighbourhood, housing health, residential crowding, housing instability, neighbourhood safety, and access to resources. Linking QSCDK data provided a measure of development for children in kindergarten (dependent variable). Logistic regression was used to predict the probability of kindergarten children being vulnerable in at least one domain of development, or in two or more domains. RESULTS Children living in neighbourhoods perceived to be dangerous are 1.5 times more likely to be vulnerable in at least one domain of development, compared with their peers living in neighbourhoods perceived to be safe (95% CI: 1.02-2.14). A similar result is observed for vulnerability in two or more domains of development (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.07-2.61). Children living in families who lack access to resources are also more likely to be vulnerable in two or more domains of development than their peers in families who have easy access to resources (OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.003-2.44). CONCLUSION Parents' feelings of insecurity and lack of access to local resources can limit children's opportunities for socialization and their exposure to enriching experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Laurin
- Direction régionale de santé publique du Centre universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 1301 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, H2L 1M3, Canada. .,Professeure adjointe de clinique, École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Danielle Guay
- Direction régionale de santé publique du Centre universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 1301 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, H2L 1M3, Canada
| | - Michel Fournier
- Direction régionale de santé publique du Centre universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 1301 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, H2L 1M3, Canada
| | - Danielle Blanchard
- Direction régionale de santé publique du Centre universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 1301 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, H2L 1M3, Canada
| | - Nathalie Bigras
- Professeure titulaire, Département de didactique, Professeure externe, Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Timmermans EJ, Veldhuizen EM, Snijder MB, Huisman M, Kunst AE. Neighbourhood safety and smoking in population subgroups: The HELIUS study. Prev Med 2018; 112:111-118. [PMID: 29654838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the associations between neighbourhood safety and three types of smoking behaviour, and whether these associations differ by sex, age, ethnicity and individual-level socio-economic position. Baseline data (2011-2015) from the The HEalthy LIfe in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) were used. Smoking behaviour was based on self-report. Heavy smoking was defined as smoking ≥10 cigarettes per day. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Fagerström questionnaire. Geographic Information System techniques were used to construct local residential areas and to examine neighbourhood safety for these areas using micro-scale environmental data. Multilevel logistic regression analyses with 6-digit zip code area as a second level were used to assess the association between neighbourhood safety and smoking. In our study sample of 22,728 participants (18-70 years), 24.0% were current smokers, 13.7% were heavy smokers and 8.1% were nicotine dependent individuals. Higher levels of neighbourhood safety were significantly associated with less heavy smoking (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78-0.99) and less nicotine dependence (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.95), but not with less current smoking (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.91-1.11). The associations between neighbourhood safety and the three types of smoking behaviour varied by ethnicity. For instance, higher levels of neighbourhood safety were associated with less current smoking in participants of African Surinamese origin (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57-0.89), but not in those of Dutch (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.91-1.39), South-Asian Surinamese (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.95-1.55), Turkish (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.84-1.38), Moroccan (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.12-2.10) or Ghanaian (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.47-2.94) origin. Policies that improve neighbourhood safety potentially contribute to less heavy smoking and nicotine dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Timmermans
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department: Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Eleonore M Veldhuizen
- Department of Geography, Planning & International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke B Snijder
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department: Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department: Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Huisman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton E Kunst
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department: Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|