Disparity in Built Environment and Its Impacts on Youths' Physical Activity Behaviors During COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions

Xiangli Gu; Jean Keller; Tao Zhang; Dana R Dempsey; Heather Roberts; Kelly A Jeans; Wilshaw Stevens; Justine Borchard; Jonathan VanPelt; Kirsten Tulchin-Francis

doi:10.1007/s40615-022-01341-3

Disparity in Built Environment and Its Impacts on Youths' Physical Activity Behaviors During COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Aug;10(4):1549-1559. doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01341-3. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ University of Texas at Arlington, 500 W. Nedderman Dr, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA. Xiangli.Gu@uta.edu.
² University of North Texas, 1155 Union Cir, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
³ Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn St, Dallas, TX, 75219, USA.
⁴ Texas Womens University, 304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX, 76204, USA.
⁵ Nationwide Children's Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 700 Children's Drive A2700 T2E, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.

Abstract

Objectives: Guided by the social ecological model, this study aimed to examine the relations of built environments (i.e., walking/cycling infrastructure, recreation facilities, neighborhood safety/crime), youth's transition abilities, and changes of youth's physical activity (PA) and play behaviors due to COVID-19-based restrictions. Ethnic and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities were also examined on studies variables during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Method: A cross-sectional research design was used to assess an anonymous online survey completed by US parents/guardians. The final sample had 1324 children and adolescents (Mean_age = 9.75; SD = 3.95; 51.3% girls), and 35.5% the families were of upper socioeconomic class (income > $150,000). Parents reported the perceived built environment and neighborhood safety, child's PA and play behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place restrictions.

Results: Youths who had access to safe built environment were more active and played more outdoor/indoor (p < .01). It was found playing behavior in yard and neighborhood were significantly increased, but community-based play behavior was significantly reduced during COVID-19 restrictions. The SEM analysis (χ²/df = 236.04/54; CFI = .966) supported indirect and direct effects of neighborhood safety on PA changes during COVID-19 restrictions, and the youth's ability to respond to COVID-19 restrictions served as a full mediator. Low-SES and Hispanic minority youth reported significantly less safety to walking or playing in their neighborhoods than their middle-/high-SES non-Hispanic peers (p < .001). Regardless of ethnicity, the magnitude of the reduction of MVPA was significantly higher among low-SES groups than that of the high- and middle-SES groups (p < .001).

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a need to tailor programs and policies to help high-risk groups (e.g., low SES) stay active, healthy, and resilient during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Built environments; Ethnic/racial disparities; Physical activity; Play behavior; Socioeconomic status.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Built Environment
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Pandemics
Residence Characteristics