Roula Zougheibe
Curtin University of Technology, Australia
Title: The Use of Spaial Techonologies to Assess the Relationships Between Children’s Mobility and Obesity: A Quantative Measure
Biography
Biography: Roula Zougheibe
Abstract
The prevelance of overweightness and obesity among Australians has been steadily increasing for the past 30 years. A report from the Department of Health in Australia (2008) states that 25% of children are currently overweight or obese. Studies suggest that the overweight and obese are less active while others find that physical movement plays an important role in the prevention of becoming overweight and obese in childhood and adolescence. The State of Western Australia’s Children and Young People reported that less than one-half (48.9%) of 5 to 15 year-olds in WA met the recommended amount of physical activity in 2012. Ongoing research is conducting a variety of studies to find reasons and solutions. To effectively prevent and reduce childhood obesity it is helpful to understand children’s mobility behaviour in relation to the surrounding environment. Spatial Information has been recently used to show spatial movements for kids. However the evidence base on what might work to increase children’s mobility is still poor. This paper aims to presents findings of relevant literature and outlines the roles of spatial technologies played in understanding child mobility behaviours in relation to their sourrounding environment. Also, assess the impact of behavoiural change on childrens weight. The research output will be a great opportunity to magnify our understanding of the contributions of spatial technologies in explaining individual children’s mobility and what may influence movement behaviours including spatial techonologies which may help promote new conversations on health measures.