Effects of outdoor play on body composition and physical performance in children: the Yamanashi Adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Childhood is a pivotal developmental stage that substantially affects lifelong habits. Recent research has emphasized the vital role of outdoor play in children's mental and physical well-being. Despite the World Health Organization recommending 1 hour of daily physical activity for children, a knowledge gap exists regarding the specific link between children's physical performance, body composition (evaluated through bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA]), and outdoor play habits.

Methods

Utilizing data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a national birth cohort study, this study included 494 eight-year-old participants. The assessment included body composition (height, weight, body fat percentage, predicted muscle weight, and phase angle using BI

SUBMITTER: Wako M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11809897 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature