Comparison of Urban and Rural Physical Activity and Outdoor Play Environments of Childcare Centers and Family Childcare Homes

Authors

Danae Dinkel, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Dipti Dev, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Yage Guo, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Ami Sedani, Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesFollow
Emily Hulse, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, LincolnFollow
Zainab Rida, Nebraska Department of EducationFollow
Kayla Abel, Family Service WIC, Lincoln, Nebraska

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

Published in Family and Community Health 43:4 (October–December 2020), pp 264–275.

DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000267

Comments

Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Used by permission.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity environment in childcare programs across type (childcare centers [CCCs] and family childcare homes [FCCHs]) and geographic location (urban and rural) as assessed by physical activity best practices according to the Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-assessment in Child Care. Results showed CCCs compared with FCCHs reported higher achievement of best practices. Further, urban childcare programs (CCCs and FCCHs) reported higher achievement of best practices in comparison to rural childcare programs. There is a need to deliver targeted interventions that promote children’s physical activity in FCCHs and CCCs in rural areas.