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Review
. 2023 Jan 11;20(2):1328.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021328.

Determinants of Outdoor Time in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies

Richard Larouche  1 , Madeline Kleinfeld  1 , Ulises Charles Rodriguez  1 , Cheryl Hatten  2 , Victoria Hecker  1 , David R Scott  3 , Leanna Marie Brown  1 , Ogochukwu K Onyeso  1 , Farzana Sadia  1 , Hanako Shimamura  4
Affiliations
Review

Determinants of Outdoor Time in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies

Richard Larouche et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Spending more time outdoors can improve children's social and cognitive development, physical activity, and vision. Our systematic review summarized the determinants of outdoor time (OT) based on the social-ecological model. We searched nine databases: MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, ERIC, SocINDEX, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. To be included, studies needed to be quantitative and longitudinal, include ≥1 potential determinant of OT among 0- to 17-year-olds, and be published in English, French, Japanese, or Spanish. We extracted the authors, publication year, country, design, sample size, OT measures, follow-up period, potential determinants, main results, and potential moderators or mediators. Fifty-five studies examining 119 potential determinants met the inclusion criteria. OT was consistently higher in warmer seasons and among participants reporting more OT at baseline. All three interventions that included both parent sessions and additional resources to promote OT (e.g., specific advice and community guides) were effective. COVID-19 restrictions and sun safety interventions discouraging midday outdoor activities led to less OT. The quality of evidence was rated as weak for 46 studies. Most potential determinants were examined in ≤3 studies; thus, more longitudinal studies are needed to enable stronger conclusions about the consistency of evidence and meta-analyses.

Keywords: adolescents; nature; outdoor play; physical activity; social-ecological model.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.L. is a Board Member of Outdoor Play Canada and a founding member of the Play, Learn, and Teach Outdoors Network (PLaTO-Net) but receives no payment for these roles. Other authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MEDLINE search strategy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagram for the review process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This research was funded by the University of Lethbridge via start-up research funds held by R.L., Graduate Assistantships from the University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies and an Alberta Innovates Summer Studentship award held by L.M.B.