Holt, N.L., Spence, J.C. (2005). Children's mental representations of urban physical activity environments.

Fewer than half of Canadian youth aged 5 to 17 are sufficiently active for optimal growth and development (Craig et al., 2001). Childhood inactivity represents a major public health concern, and there is an urgent need to increase children's physical activity levels. In response to this situation, this study will examine connections between urban and suburban school children's perceptions of their local environment and their understanding of physical activity. Using a novel research approach, children will be asked to create ‘concept maps' about what they think about physical activity. They will then be asked to draw ‘mental maps' of their local neighbourhood, focusing on the places in their neighbourhood where they can be physically active. These data will help provide children with a voice influencing possible changes in the provision of physical activity resources.