Exploring Factors Influencing Children's Use of a Free Recreation Access Pass: Does Geography Matter?

Only a small proportion of Canadian children achieve the recommend daily minimum amount of moderate-vigorous physical activity (PA). The Grade 5 ACT-i-Pass (G5AP) program in London, Ontario offers fifth-grade children a free access pass to multiple PA opportunities at recreation facilities for an entire school year. This thesis used a mixed-methods approach to examine barriers and enablers to children’s use of those PA opportunities. In-depth interviews with recreation service providers afforded an understanding of potential factors influencing pass use. Surveys of child participants and their parents provided data on participant demographics, parental and peer support, and pass usage. Spatial analysis generated environmental variables such as neighbourhood socioeconomic status and distance between home and participating facilities. Statistical analysis examined individual, intrapersonal, and environmental determinants on pass use using logistic regression. Findings from service provider interviews revealed potential barriers to pass use related to participant knowledge, economic means, and geographic access. Spatial analysis found both hot and cold spot clusters of pass use, and logistic regression modelling found sex, recruitment method, and parental support significantly influenced use of the G5AP. Findings support development of PA interventions focused on spatial distribution of activities and promotion of PA opportunities.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Campbell, Joannah M

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Jason Gilliland
• Jeff Hopkins

• children
• physical activity
• recreation
• in-depth interviews
• geographic accessibility
• mixed-methods

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/34623

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/34623