Mothers' perceived proximity to green space is associated with TV viewing time in children: The Growing Up in Scotland study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether mothers' perception of distance from home to green/open spaces is associated with their child's screen time. METHOD: We used mother-reported data from sweep six (2010–2011) of the Growing Up in Scotland study (n = 3586 children aged 5.9 yrs) to examine associations between walking distance from home to green/open space and screen time (TV viewing time/computer use). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex and other pre-specified covariates, including sport/exercise participation, mental and general health, birth weight, parental socio-economic group (SEG) and smoking status. RESULTS: Children living the furthest distance from green/open spaces (> 20 minutes' walking distance) displayed over 2 h (95% CI, 0.65 to 3.51) more weekly TV time than the reference category (< 5 minutes' walking distance). Compared to children in the reference category, those in the > 20 minute category had worse mental health (mean SDQ [Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire] score ± SD, 7.0 ± 4.6 vs. 8.7 ± 6.2) and general health (% fair–poor, 4.6 vs. 8.6), and were more likely to come from lower SEG households. CONCLUSION: Mothers' perceived distance from home to green/open spaces was associated with child's TV time at age 5.9 years.