Built-environment attributes associated with refugee children’s physical activity: a narrative review and research agenda

Abstract

Research has identified built environmental attributes associated with children’s physical activity (PA); however, less is known for environmental correlates of refugee children’s PA. This narrative review summarised the current evidence of associations between built environment attributes and refugee children’s PA. Six databases were searched with three sets of terms related to exposure (built environment); outcome (PA); and target population (refugee children aged 6–12 years). Eight studies (one quantitative; seven qualitative) met the inclusion criteria. Key PA barriers were limited play space and lack of neighbourhood safety. Design of refugee facilities and surrounding environments should provide better access to formal, informal and safe spaces for children’s play.

Understanding Spatial Characteristics of Refugee Accommodations Associated with Refugee Children’s Physical Activity in Microenvironments: Six Case Studies in Berlin

“…Given the facts that refugee children's numbers are increasing globally [12] and lack of PA can have long-term impacts on children's health and development [13], it is critical to summarize empiric data and evidence-based recommendations that can promote PA among refugee children in this context. Increasing PA among this vulnerable group should be considered as a critical public health goal [14,15].…”

“…Studies also indicated that refugee children lack indoor space and communal facilities within the housing [25][26][27] for playing, or experience a lack of 'dedicated play spaces' inside the camp [28]. Due to such environmental arrangements, it is possible to argue that refugee children live in less favorable conditions for engaging in PA than non-refugee children; thus, it is possible that the built environment around refugee children hinders them from being active [14].…”

“…As mentioned above, since refugee children live in very different environmental settings compared to those experienced by non-refugees, to facilitate refugee children's PA, it is necessary to further identify micro environmental factors in relevant contexts associated with their PA. The authors' previous review has identified only a limited number of available studies (7 qualitative and 1 quantitative) which report that indoor and outdoor spaces in microenvironments are relevant to refugee children's PA [14]. Within this frame of reference, this paper presents an exploratory study on spatial characteristics and PA opportunities of school-aged refugee children in six multi-type Berlin-located refugee accommodations.…”

Perceived environmental barriers and facilitators of refugee children’s physical activity in/around refugee accommodation: a qualitative case study in Berlin

“…As mentioned, since refugee children live in very different environmental settings compared to non-refugee children, the existing findings of environmental attributes relevant to non-refugee children’s PA may not apply to refugee children. The authors’ previous review has identified that indoor and outdoor spaces in micro environments, formal/informal PA spaces, and neighbourhood safety in meso environments, are relevant to refugee children’s PA [ 20 ]. It also identified the research agenda and indicated gaps between existing built environments and refugee children’s PA.…”

“…The authors’ previous review has distinguished and identified two types of spaces that are important for refugee children’s daily PA in built environments as ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ [ 20 ]. In this research, formal space is a play space/area constructed explicitly for the purpose of PA, including playgrounds and other sports fields [ 4 , 5 , 32 , 33 ].…”