2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play
Date
Authors
Lee, EY
de Lannoy, L
Kim, YB
Rathod, A
James, ME
Lopes, O
Nasrallah, B
Thankarajah, A
Adjei-Boadi, D
de Barros, MIA
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play was released in Canada, emphasizing the critical role of active outdoor play-with its risks-in fostering children's healthy development. Building on this foundation, a 10-year update of the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (AOP10) was initiated to broaden its scope and impact, by encompassing all age groups and extending its reach conceptually and globally. Here we explain and present the new 2025 Position Statement. METHODS: Development of the 2025 Position Statement was informed by 18 rigorous literature reviews, a series of leadership group meetings, three rounds of draft AOP10 surveys, followed by extensive communication, translation, production, and dissemination activities. RESULTS: The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play states: "Active outdoor play promotes holistic health and well-being for people of all ages, communities, and environments, and for our entire planet. It is critical given the multiple global challenges we face today (e.g., social and health inequities, climate change and digital addiction). Together, as a collective of the outdoor play sector, we recommend increasing opportunities for active outdoor play in all settings where people live, learn, work, and play. To achieve this, it is important to collaborate across sectors, settings, and societies to preserve, promote, and value equitable access to active play outdoors and in nature." We also provide key evidence pertaining to the nine core themes that informed the development of the 2025 Position Statement and offer recommendations across sectors, calling for multi-sectoral, multi-level collaborations. Across all three survey rounds, responses indicated strong support for the 2025 Position Statement and its supporting content (Round 3: 93-98%). Comprehensive, proactive knowledge translation and dissemination plans were executed to maximize the reach and impact of the 2025 Position Statement. CONCLUSIONS: The 2025 Position Statement calls for systemic changes that prioritize equitable access to active outdoor play opportunities and aims to create healthier communities. Achieved through international collaboration and consensus, the 2025 Position Statement aspires to connect, advise, inspire, and activate active outdoor play worldwide.Description
Keywords
Health promotion, Leisure, Nature, Nature-based solution, Physical activity, Planetary health, Recreation, Risky play, AOP10 Steering Committee Group, 4206 Public Health, 42 Health Sciences, Health Disparities, Health Disparities and Racial or Ethnic Minority Health Research, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 13 Education, Public Health, 3210 Nutrition and dietetics, 4202 Epidemiology, 4207 Sports science and exercise
Source
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, ISSN: 1479-5868 (Print); 1479-5868 (Online), BMC, 22(1), 117-. doi: 10.1186/s12966-025-01813-9
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