Parental perceptions of environmental factors on preschoolers’ outdoor play in 19 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries

Background
Environmental factors influence children’s development. However, their impact on outdoor play among children from international settings remains understudied. This study examined associations between parent perceptions of environmental factors and outdoor play among an international sample of preschool-aged children.

Results
1855 children from 19 countries (16 low- and middle-income countries) were examined. Heat, cold, and rain were negatively associated with weekday outdoor play. Cold and social instability were negatively associated with weekend outdoor play. Playing at friend’s or relative’s homes, greenspaces, and on the street were associated with weekday and weekend day outdoor play, respectively. Playing on the family’s property was also associated with weekend day outdoor play.

Conclusions
The environmental context is important to consider when developing interventions to promote outdoor play in young children across diverse international settings. Future research from representative populations is needed to confirm these findings.