Haug, Torsheim, Sallis, and Samdal, 2010
The school is an important setting for physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between physical envi- ronmental characteristics and participation in daily physical activity during school breaks. Data from 130 schools and 16 471 students (Grades 4–10) in Norway were obtained in 2004 through self-administered questionnaires to principals and students. Multilevel logistic re- gression models revealed that boys at secondary level with a larger number of outdoor facilities at school had 2.69 times [95% confidence inter- val (CI) = 1.21–5.98] and girls 2.90 times (95% CI = 1.32–6.37) higher odds of being physically active compared with students in schools with fewer facilities. Boys at secondary level with areas for hopscotch/skipping rope had 2.53 times (95% CI = 1.55–4.13), with a soccer field 1.68 times (95% CI = 1.15–2.45), with play- ground equipment 1.66 times (95% CI = 1.16– 2.37) and with a sledding hill 1.70 times (95% CI = 1.23–2.35) higher odds to be physically ac- tive compared with students in schools without these facilities. A sledding hill was also associated with girls’ physical activity participation in secondary school (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.11–2.24). Outdoor facilities in secondary schools are associated with students’ daily phys- ical activity participation during school breaks. Therefore, improving the outdoor environment should be considered in physical activity promotion school programs in secondary schools.
