Measuring Blue Space Visibility and ‘Blue Recreation’ in the Everyday Lives of Children in a Capital City

Amber L. Pearson, Ross Bottomley, Tim Chambers, Lukar Thornton, James Stanley, Moira Smith, Michelle Barr and Louise Signal
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Amber L. Pearson: Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Ross Bottomley: Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Tim Chambers: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Lukar Thornton: School of Exercise and Nutritional Science, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia
James Stanley: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Moira Smith: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Michelle Barr: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Louise Signal: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Blue spaces (water bodies) may promote positive mental and physical health through opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and social connections. However, we know little about the nature and extent of everyday exposure to blue spaces, particularly in settings outside the home or among children, nor whether exposure varies by individual or household characteristics. Wearable cameras offer a novel, reliable method for blue space exposure measurement. In this study, we used images from cameras worn over two days by 166 children in Wellington, New Zealand, and conducted content and blue space quantification analysis on each image ( n = 749,389). Blue space was identified in 24,721 images (3.6%), with a total of 23 blue recreation events. Visual exposure and participation in blue recreation did not differ by ethnicity, weight status, household deprivation, or residential proximity to the coastline. Significant differences in both visual exposure to blue space and participation in blue recreation were observed, whereby children from the most deprived schools had significantly higher rates of blue space exposure than children from low deprivation schools. Schools may be important settings to promote equitable blue space exposures. Childhood exposures to blue space may not follow the expected income inequality trends observed among adults.

Keywords: blue space; children’s environments; neighborhoods; mental health; cities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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