Supportive environments for physical activity in deprived communities in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study using photo elicitation

Abstract

The health benefits of regular physical activity are substantial and well-established. However, population activity levels are insufficient to obtain health benefits in the United Kingdom (UK), and strategies to increase activity, particularly in income-deprived communities, are sought. Socioecological models of physical activity posit that activity levels are influenced by social, physical and wider environmental factors. In line with a growing evidence base, there is a need to understand the factors that contribute to an activity-supportive neighbourhood within deprived settings within the UK. This study used photo-elicitation qualitative interviews to explore environmental facilitators and barriers to neighbourhood-based, outdoor physical activity in 23 adults living in two income-deprived neighbourhoods in Glasgow, UK. Data were collected between June and October 2015, and were explored using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: 'diversity of destinations in the neighbourhood', 'provision of services to support healthy environments', 'ownership of public space and facilities to encourage physical activity', 'collective control of public space to prevent disorder' and 'perceived value of the neighbourhood'. Findings highlighted the close interaction between these themes and more broadly between social and physical facets of neighbourhood environments that were unsupportive of physical activity. Discourse about economic aspects was pervasive and emerged as deeply affecting characteristics of the social and physical environment and upstream influences on physical activity. This study supports evidence that multi-faceted interventions addressing aspects of the social, physical and economic environment may be needed to support outdoor physical activity in deprived communities.

How might neighborhood built environment influence child maltreatment? Caregiver perceptions

“…Other literature has underscored the role of cumulative risk in child maltreatment, demonstrating the interactions between multiple pathways in a broader risk environment (Evans et al, 2013; Cicchetti et al, 1997; Molnar et al, 2016). In addition, similar to those who have posited social contacts as a mechanism behind the relation between green space and health (e.g., Maas et al, 2009; Sawyer et al, 2018), our findings suggest that social interaction and relationships may constitute another pathway between certain aspects of the built neighborhood environment—recreation centers, playgrounds, parks—and child maltreatment. These findings add an important dimension to research that has demonstrated the link between the built environment and social capital (Cohen, Inagami, and Finch, 2008; Leyden, 2009).…”

“…This mechanism of internalizing or embodying one’s physical surroundings – “you are what your environment is”— highlights a diffuse, yet powerful, way in which the neighborhood built environment could inform both intra- and interpersonal relations. The quality of the built environment was seen as reciprocally shaping individual and social behavior (Sawyer et al, 2018). The caregiver who suggested that the presence of nature improves parent-child relationships indeed echoed findings from research on the restorative qualities of green spaces (Coley et al, 1997; Faber Taylor and Kuo 2011; Wells, 2000).…”

“…Green spaces may not only increase cognitive functioning in children (Coley et al, 1997; Taylor and Kuo, 2011) but also indirectly affect child development by creating opportunities for social interaction for children and caregivers (Coley et al, 1997; Evans, 2003; Maas et al, 2009). Further, the degree to which children experience agency and perceive independent access to play opportunities outside of the home either alone or with peers has been posited to positively affect their physical, socioemotional, and cognitive development (Kyttä, 2004; Sawyer et al 2018).…”

The effect of aquatic high-intensity interval training on aerobic performance, strength and body composition in a non-athletic population: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[4][5][6] Barriers to exercise such as boredom, deconditioning, pain, and movement difficulties can be further compounded by environmental factors such as location and weather. 7,8 To promote participation in exercise at sufficient dose to maintain or improve aerobic performance, there is a need to explore novel approaches to exercise prescription and the environment in which it is conducted.…”

Out-of-Home Mobility and Social Participation of Older People: a Photo-Based Ambulatory Assessment Study

“…Applying wearable cameras is a recent method to investigate travelling and health behaviour. One could also calculate the time spent engaged in those activities by increasing the capture rate of the camera (Kelly et al 2014;Sawyer et al 2018). Wearable cameras have been shown to be a suitable instrument to measure different kinds of physical activities (Kelly et al 2011), as well as everyday activities (Wang and Smeaton 2013).…”