Health enhancing physical activity: Factors influencing engagement patterns in children

Abstract

Physical inactivity and the development of increasingly sedentary lifestyles are recognised as a community health concern, the origins of which can be traced from childhood lifestyle behaviours. Physical activity engagement patterns in children are multidimensional and occupational therapists are philosophically well suited to profiling these activity patterns. To do so requires a broad understanding of the complex, interrelated contextual, interpersonal, intrapersonal and temporal aspects of occupational performance. In this paper, the SCOPE-IT model (Synthesis of Child Occupational Performance and Environment -In Time) is used as a conceptual framework for describing these factors. This is undertaken with the purpose of alerting occupational therapists and others who work with children to key factors that influence the development of healthy lifestyles where there is an optimal balance between physically active and sedentary pursuits. Achieving temporal balance in core areas of occupational performance underpins physical and mental health and has implications for disease prevention.

Changes in Parents’ Time Use and Its Relationship to Child Obesity

“…Encouraging a balance between physically active and non-physical occupations and the promotion of healthy behaviors from childhood to old age is an important goal for the occupational therapy profession (Poulsen & Ziviani, 2004). However, there is no consensus about what is required by individuals or in families with children in order to achieve a healthy occupational balance.…”

“…Creating the conditions for children to experience enjoyment within their families in varied and meaningful daily routines is of concern to everyone involved in promoting good health and welfare of children (Poulsen & Ziviani, 2004). Even though families engage in similar occupations in time and space, the experience of engaging in these occupations differs among the individuals within families (Bagby, Dickie, & Baranek, 2012;Evans & Rodger, 2008).…”

Influence of Recreational Facilities among Adolescents towards Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA)

“…Based on previous studies, physical activity and health promotion have shifted from changing individual knowledge, attitudes and skills to influencing and changing the social and physical environment (Phongsavan, Mclean, & Bauman, 2007). Sallis and Owen (1997) believe that the physical environment consists of the authentic environment and shaped environment like (i) safety, (ii) natural environment such as weather, (iii) location and (iv) facilities and equipment (Poulsen & Ziviani, 2004). However, the ratio of sports facilities provided by local authorities is inadequate for the total population of an area (Zaini Arshad, 2003;National Sports Council, 1992).…”

“…It has been stated earlier that the physical environment consists of authentic and shaped environments (Sallis & Owen, 1997), that include recreational infrastructure, transportation and public situations such as safety, natural environment such as the location and weather as well as facilities and equipment (Davison & Lawson, 2006;Poulsen & Ziviani, 2004). In this study context, physical environment refers to safety of the environment and sport and recreational facilities that are provided by school, district or local council and private sports organizations that can be used by the community.…”

Introduction to Occupation‐Centred Practice with Children

“…Assessments that facilitate goal setting and those that are occupation-centred will be addressed in detail in Chapters 6 and 7. Paediatric frames of reference have also been developed that specifi cally enhance children's occupations such as Synthesis of Child, Occupational Performance and Environment in Time (SCOPE-IT) (Haertl, 2009;Poulsen & Ziviani, 2004). …”