The relationship between children’s third-place play, parental neighbourhood perceptions, and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour

This study takes a child-centred approach to examine the relationship between children’s third-place play, parents’ perceptions of their neighbourhood environment, and time spent by children in physical activity sedentary behaviour during weekday out-of-school hours. A total 1102 aged 8–13 years from 19 schools across Auckland, New Zealand took part public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) survey utilising closed- open-ended questions child mapping destinations. The results suggested that playing green places near home were associated with more light less behaviour. Children who played street (e.g. driveways, footpath, carpark) moderate vigorous activity. Although parental environment not directly activity, parents perceived as connected likely engage play.