TY - JOUR
T1 - Outdoor play
T2 - Current status, challenges, and opportunities in the Asia region
AU - Lee, Eun Young
AU - Oh, Yeonjae
AU - Baghestani, Ameneh
AU - Cagas, Jonathan Y.
AU - Chen, Sitong
AU - Huang, Wendy Y.
AU - Jeon, Justin Y.
AU - Kim, Hyunshik
AU - Liu, Yang
AU - Lock, Merilyn
AU - Loney, Tom
AU - Mallari, Marla Frances T.
AU - Mahendra, Agus
AU - Majed, Lina
AU - Morrison, Shawnda A.
AU - Paudel, Susan
AU - Shahril, Mohd Razif
AU - Subedi, Narayan
AU - Wang, Po Yu
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Funding Information:
This manuscript is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) (Grant #: 430-2024-00376), and the Lawson Foundation as part of the larger Active Outdoor Play Position Statement 10th Anniversary Update project through which partial funding for this study was provided. The funders had no role in the design, analysis, interpretation, or writing of this research.
PY - 2026/6
Y1 - 2026/6
N2 - In September 2025, a globally informed 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play will be launched to renew momentum for advancing outdoor play worldwide for planetary health. This study was conducted to support its development, by providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities for outdoor play specifically within the Asia region, in parallel with five other regional reviews for global representation. Environmental scan, expert consultation, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback were conducted. The results indicated that outdoor play in Asia has collectively declined over the past decade, despite its well-established benefits for the health and well-being of both humans and the environment. This study also identified a multitude of factors that influence outdoor play within the socioecological framework. Understanding regional challenges and leveraging culturally grounded strengths is a critical first step toward implementing locally relevant policies and community-driven initiatives. Policy makers should reframe outdoor play not as a luxury or extracurricular activity, but as a public health imperative and fundamental right for all children. Strategic investments in urban infrastructure, safety, inclusive programming, and educational curricula can foster more supportive environments. By recognizing outdoor play as essential for planetary health, Asian countries can lead the way in building more active, equitable, and resilient communities.
AB - In September 2025, a globally informed 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play will be launched to renew momentum for advancing outdoor play worldwide for planetary health. This study was conducted to support its development, by providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities for outdoor play specifically within the Asia region, in parallel with five other regional reviews for global representation. Environmental scan, expert consultation, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback were conducted. The results indicated that outdoor play in Asia has collectively declined over the past decade, despite its well-established benefits for the health and well-being of both humans and the environment. This study also identified a multitude of factors that influence outdoor play within the socioecological framework. Understanding regional challenges and leveraging culturally grounded strengths is a critical first step toward implementing locally relevant policies and community-driven initiatives. Policy makers should reframe outdoor play not as a luxury or extracurricular activity, but as a public health imperative and fundamental right for all children. Strategic investments in urban infrastructure, safety, inclusive programming, and educational curricula can foster more supportive environments. By recognizing outdoor play as essential for planetary health, Asian countries can lead the way in building more active, equitable, and resilient communities.
KW - Policy
KW - Advocacy
KW - Physical activity
KW - Sport
KW - SDG
KW - Socioecological model
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029400441
U2 - 10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102539
DO - 10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102539
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:105029400441
SN - 2590-2911
VL - 13
JO - Social Sciences and Humanities Open
JF - Social Sciences and Humanities Open
M1 - 102539
ER -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being