CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A. The Problem and Its Setting

a. Background of the Study

Physical activity means movement of the body that uses energy. Walking, running, climbing the stairs, dancing and playing

sports and games are all examples of being physically active. Sports, however, is one of the well-known form of competitive physical

activity or game which, aims to improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment and entertainment to participants and

spectators. Aside from this, it is proved physical activities, mainly sports, have overwhelming amount of positive effects in terms of

mental and physical health and also improve social interaction and behavior of the participants. Showcasing the evident importance

of sports and physical activities in the daily lives of the people. However, modernization of society leads people to live a sedentary

lifestyle, a type of lifestyle involving little to no physical activity.

Technology becomes the major tool for the modernization of societies. Modern societies enjoy certain features such as

urbanization, literacy and industrialization accompanied by highly developed transport system, utilities, enhanced work and

household equipments and other technologies that make life easier and require less physical strength involvement. As a matter of

fact, technology also improves the quality of sports competitions hence catering larger possible audience. However, it corrupts the

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1|Page

main purpose of sports which is promoting physical activeness for a healthier life. Modernization of society leads to the physical

inactivity of people which, according to World Health Organization, is one of the leading risk factors of non-communicable diseases

(NCDs) and weight problems. Today's generation is significantly more prone for being physically inactive because they are more

exposed and dependent on technologies. As a matter of fact, studies shows that children of today prefer technologies such as

televisions, computer, mobile phones and internet for their entertainment and leisure rather than spending time outside, playing

conventional sports and games. Which is favorable for the majority of parents considering the current issues about the unsafe and

unpleasant environment in the urbanized area.

This study aims to promote awareness of the negative causes of sedentary lifestyle due to excessive dependance in the

advancement of the modernized and urbanized society in the health and behavior of the people, mainly children. To showcase the

importance of early involvement of children in sports and other physical activities to have a strong foundation for a better health in

the future. Hence, integrating Inter-active and Eco-healing approaches to develop and promote physical activity and sports and to

attract and engage the community into physical wellness.

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 b. Statement of the Problem

Modernization of society leads to physical inactivity resulting to higher risk of non-communicable diseases and weight

problems which conflicts the main purpose of sports. Unawareness of the community to the effects of physical inactivity in the

health. A sustainable accommodation for children's physical activities and sports is inadequate. Hence, the human impact influence

the perception of parenting community due to the alarming cases and issues of the outside environment is unsafe for the children to

engage.

c. Architectural Thesis Goals / Objectives / Strategies

This study aims to provide an Inter-active and Eco-healing environment for the development of the physical wellness of the

children amidst the modernization and urbanization of society. Hence, spreading awareness about sedentary lifestyle which leads to

physical inactivity that has negative impacts in the health, behavior and lifestyle of people, especially to the modern children that are

exposed to technologies at a young age. And lastly, to encourage and engage children into physical activities and sports that will

serve as the foundation for the modern children's healthier future.

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Objectives

1. To sustainably promote awareness about the causes of physical inactivity and the effects of it in the people's health.

Strategies

 Conduct survey about the knowledge of people regarding physical inactivity.

 Conduct case study about its current condition in the country.

 Read articles and news about physical inactivity.

 Determine if there are related advocacies towards physical health.

2. To provide a flexible environment that will cater and achieve the requirements of different physical activities and conventional

sports facilities for children.

Strategies

 Conduct survey to the target users of the facility.

 Read information and articles related to sports and physical activities.

 Observe spaces where people are attracted to.

 Conduct ocular visit in social interactive places.

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3. To utilize inter-active and eco-healing design to attract and ensure the parents for them to engage their children into physical

activity and sports.

Strategies

 Conduct survey to experts and people involved regarding the issue.

 Conduct research about the expected needs of the children.

 Read magazines with different architectural approaches.

 Conduct a case study.

d. Scope and Limitations

The study will focus on developing an environment that will cater and promote physical activities and the well-known

conventional sports in the country, engaging children to be physically active for the benefit of their health, behavior and social

interaction. The researcher will also focus on spreading awareness about the growing population of physically inactive children in

the modernized society, providing their needs with accordance of architecture – how to engage children into sports and physical

activities, how the children’s behavior and activities will affect the design of spaces and how the spaces affect the overall experience

of the children.

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 The study may have limits due to the time bound, financial capacity and availability of resources of the researcher to gather

data and information about the topic. There are also some data that may be unavailable and cannot be given to the researcher due

to confidentiality. Thus, the researcher needs to acquire to other institutions or organization to get information and supporting details

regarding the study that can obstruct the progress of the study. Hence, this study will solely focus on overcoming the present and

future problems of modern children regarding to physical activities and conventional sports by the use of Architecture.

e. Significance of the Study

The significance of this study will contribute to the benefit of society considering that the population of the physically inactive

children of the modern society is increasing leading to the growing numbers of overweight children and higher risk of non-

communicable diseases. Thus, the provision of an environment that will cater different sports and physical activities to ensure the

parents and encourage the children to be physically active amidst the modernization of society. This study will also be a tool to open

the minds of today's modern society to the value of sports and physical activities in the health, behavior and socialization at a young

age. And lastly, for children to discover and enhance their potential talent and love for sports.

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 f. Assumption

There are local government units and private sectors that are inclined and actively promoting physical wellness for the Filipino

children. The DoH (Department of Health) continues to promote and educate Filipinos about the importance of regularly engaging

into physical activities and sports, as a matter fact, DoH recently released the Philippine National Guidelines on Physical Activity, to

provide rules in adopting physically active lifestyle. The World Health Organization, on the other hand, continues to study and to

spread awareness about physical inactivity and its negative impact to the health, especially to the children that are more exposed to

the sedentary lifestyle. Also, Milo Philippines continuously promotes and provide physical activities and sports programs for Filipino

children nationwide. And physical activities and sports are still part of Department of Education's curriculum by having Physical

Education subject in accordance to Republic Act No. 5708 - an act providing for the promotion and financing of an integrated

physical education and sports development program for the schools in the Philippines. Hence, the benefits of this research is for the

present and future Filipino children to engage in physical activities, especially into conventional sports, that'll benefit their health,

behavior and social interaction and could be a tool to decrease the number of physically inactive children of today’s modern society.

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 g. Definitions of Terms & Concepts

Conventional sports - are traditional or ordinary sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball and many more.

Eco-Healing Architecture - combination of sustainable architecture and healing architecture. Through this approach is a

sustainable and healing environment that will positively affect the mental health and especially physical health of the users by the

use of interactive technologies and the active design of the building itself.

Inter-Active Architecture - fusion of Interactive design, which focuses on building automation that forms engagement and

communication of spaces and users, and Active design which deals with building and planning principles to promote physical

activity. This approach will lead to an environment forming an interaction within the spaces and users through technology that will

lead to physical activeness of the users.

Modernization - in sociology, the transformation from a traditional, rural, agrarian society to a secular, urban, industrial society.

NCD - Non-communicable disease, also known as chronic diseases, the main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, cancers,

chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors contributing to NCDs,

whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the harmful use of alcohol.

Overweight - weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height.

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Physical activity - Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy

expenditure.

Physical wellness - Commitment to self-care through regular participation in physical activity and healthy eating.

Physically inactive / Physical Inactivity - a term used to identify people who do not get the recommended level of regular physical

activity.

Sedentary lifestyle - a type of lifestyle involving little or no physical activity. A person living a sedentary lifestyle is

often sitting or lying down while engaged in an activity like reading, socializing, watching television, playing video games, or using

a mobile phone/computer for much of the day.

Urbanization - refers to the population shift from rural areas to urban areas, the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in

urban areas, and the ways in which each society adapts to this change

WHO - World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health.

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B. Review of Related Literature & Studies

Engaging children into physical activities such as sports increase and improve fitness, helps with weight maintenance,

strengthens bones and muscles and reduces the risk for Non-communicable diseases. Physical activity also improves the mental

health of children, it helps them to be more confident, have better concentration and to be able to cope with stress and handle their

behaviors and emotions. That's why some societies provide facilities for children to do recreational activities, but even with this

consideration, according to survey not even one in five Australian kids aged between five to seventeen achieved the recommended

60 minutes of physical activity per day. Even children were involve in organized sports, half of the time isn't spent on being active

but rather they spend a lot of time in instructions and waiting for their turn. Experts came into a conclusion that time management is

a big part in maintaining physical activeness of children. And giving children time that they will manage their own without rules and

boundaries, for them to explore and try new things will also help in improving their physical wellness. The schedule of parents also

has a big effect in children's physical activeness. Balancing work and parenting is hard and squeezing it in 24 hours is not enough.

Leaving them with only the weekend to let their children do some of their activities. Also children have their own way of spending

their free time, not every children are into sports. Some kids are arty and likes to read, and also some suffer physical issues. In the

end, physical inactivity is unwanted but raising children is hard, however coordinated response can help solving this problem.

(Cassie White , 2017)

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 Physical inactivity becomes a global public health problem, the cases of deaths because of physical inactivity increases each

year. The reason is partly because of the sedentary way of living of modern people. One of these is the passive mode of

transportation which is a result for the modernization and urbanization of society which is inevitable. Urbanization also resulted to

several environmental factors that discouraged participation of people in physical activity such as alarming cases of violence,

pollution, lack of recreational and sports facilities and many more. (World Health Organization , 2018)

Physical activity has many health benefits, however people still neglect its importance in the daily life. The built environment

also affects the negligence of physical activity, due to the modernization of society, people live in a more easy life needing little to no

physical strength involve. As a matter of fact the number of children having Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and weight

problem increases emphasizing the need for physical activity to be promoted in such a young age for children to have a good

foundation for active and healthy lifestyle. (Shiva Raj Mishra , 2015)

According to global report, accessing 49 countries from six continents, children are not involving into physical activities

enough to maintain healthy growth and development. Contributing factor is the excessive exposure in global trends or the modern

lifestyle. Growing reliance in technologies and the motorized transport adversely affect the level of physical inactivity globally.

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Hence, raising attention resulting to discussions from different critics and professionals show the importance of promoting physical

activities calling actions from different societies around tge world. The discussion also shows the importance of learning from

different countries with the most physically active children. Adapting their approach and culture that being active is a way of life.

(Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute , 2018)

Since the 1980s, kids’ physical activity has been going down while sedentary lifestyle causing obesity has been going up.

These days, less than one-third of children reach the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s “active to a healthy level,” which is

25 minutes of high-calorie-burning physical activity three times a week. Technology is one of the main causes of children's physical

inactivity, children spend more time in front of computers, television and smart-phone rather than directly interacting outside with

each other. Also in some country, school districts cutting physical education classes and recesses, sports programs struggling to

find funding, causing the rapid growing population of physically inactive children. Even though some organizations and individuals

have advocated for more physical activity, such as the Aspen Institute, the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, the LA84

Foundation and the Partnership for a Healthier America, getting children more physically active hasn’t been enough of a national

priority–and that’s costing everyone. (Bruce Y. Lee , 2017)

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 Physical activeness should be implemented in children's life to create a healthy foundation for themselves. In the modern

society, watching televisions and playing video games for hours are considered activities. But these activities does not include

physical involvement. Children should have activities that will push them to move around and interact and socialize to other children.

According to studies, indoor activities are just light-intensity activities compared to the amount of activeness the children will get

outdoors. Involving into physical activities during childhood is proven to built a healthier body composition, stronger bones and

muscles and also improve cardiovascular fitness. Aside from these, physical activeness also develops healthy mentality, social and

emotional behaviors. And if not practice, physical inactivity may cause various health problems including high blood pressure, bad

cholesterol, cardio vascular problems, bone problems and weight problems. Therefore, being physically active during childhood will

lead the children to have a healthier and better life in the future. (Harsh Mahaseth , 2017)

Living a sedentary life or being physically inactive can raise health risk. Only 25 percent of adults in the United States are

reportedly meeting the standard of at least 10 minutes of physical activity per day to be considered a healthy adult. From National

Population Health Surveys of Canada, expending less than 1.5 kcal/kg per day in physical activity is considered being sedentary or

being physically inactive. Also according to Katrine Tudor, a pedometer researcher, having less than 5,000 pedometer steps per day

is already physical inactiveness. Physical inactivity is dangerous, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control 300,000 deaths

each year is a result for being physically inactive and poor eating habits. And according to different studies physical inactivity raises

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 13 | P a g e
higher risk of heart diseases, stroke, colon cancer and diabetes. But through exercising for 30 minutes a day, setting a goal of

10,000 steps per day and engaging into "active minutes" in which a challenge to move at a fast pace for at least 10 minutes, health

problems can be avoided. (Wendy Bumgardner , 2018)

Children of today are worried about modern problems and are afraid of things that weren't in the vocabulary of the children

from the older generation. This is the result of the fear from natural disaster, violence outside and even the fear of encountering

family problems. Only few children are carefree enough to play in the outside environment. Because of these issues, related ideas to

cope up to these problems is for the adult and children to spend more time with nature which is good for the brains. It is good for tge

brain to sense natural things rather than spending time with technologies such as playing video games. As a matter of fact

availability of electronic games is being questioned as one of the problem that causes the big change in the thinking of children of

today compared to the generation of children before who spend their childhood playing outdoors. (Robert Roy Brit , 2014)

Based on Sun Life Financial Asia Health Index, Philippines is one of the Asian countries with the highest percentage of

citizens who lack exercise due to lack of time management, personal motivation and also due to many distractions of modern life. A

survey about Asians' attitude towards exercising was accumulated resulting to 61 percent of mid-income Filipinos lack exercise

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 14 | P a g e
accompanied by Malaysians and Thai people. These people are labeled "Generation O" or the generation described as

"overworked, overweight and overwhelmed." Due to lack of time because of work, and also lack of facilities, resources and having

existing diseases this generation is considered living an unhealthy lifestyle. However, due to Filipinos resiliency, many of them are

still positive about their overall health. As a matter of fact, Philippines' have the highest percentage of positive perception about their

health. (Doris Dumlao-Abadilla , 2017)

It is proved that physical activity has a positive benefits in the mental and physical health among adults and children. Because

of its importance, different programs, projects and laws are created by the government to support physical wellness of the Filipinos.

One of these programs is the implementation of Physical Education in the education curriculum of the Philippines. But despite this

importance, according to the local studies detailing the physical activity levels of Filipino children, Filipino children are still physically

inactive. The conducted survey showed that the children are most active during weekends because of the restrictions during school

days. While during Physical Education classes the children are only mild active and mostly PE classes confined into lecture classes.

Despite this, the children preferred to be involved in sports, dance or play. Lastly, according ti the survey, the physical activity was

highest at age ten and lowest at age twelve. (Manuel Ted F. Aurelio , 2014)

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 15 | P a g e
C. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 16 | P a g e
D. Research Methodology

Key Question 1:

Unawareness of the community to the effects of physical inactivity in the health.

STRATEGY TACTICS TARGET TARGET DATA TOOLS TO BE TIME

RESPONDENTS USED FRAME

 Analysis of the current 1. Survey

QUALITATIVE Survey Elementary School condition of today's questioner 2 days
children's social,
 Conducting a physical and mental
survey to 100 male disposition. 2. Pen
and female
students from  Knowledge of children
Grade 1 to Grade towards physical 3. Souvenir
6. activities and sports.

 Collection of numbers
of children engaging
in physical activities
and conventional
sports.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 17 | P a g e
  Collection of views of 1. Guide
Interview Members of the the members of the questioner 2 days
parenting community
parenting adults regarding the effects 2. Recorder
of modern
environment to their 3. Notebook
 It may be teachers
children.
and parents of the 4. Pen
children
 The conflicts that
parenting adults
encounter in relation
to their children social,
physical and mental
disposition

 Analysis of the
awareness of the
parenting adults
regarding physical
inactivity of today's
children.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 18 | P a g e
  Information about their
MILO Philippines past, current and
future programs for
 Event organizer conventional sports for
 Information Filipino children.
personnel
 Data regarding their
past sports events for
children.

 Comparison of the 1. Camera

CORRELATIONAL Comparative Related departments and knowledge of the 2-3 days
general public and 2. Recorder
Analysis organizations the experts towards
physical inactivity. 3. Notebook
General Public
4. Pen
 Parents, guardians
and children.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 19 | P a g e
Key Question 2:

A sustainable environment for the accommodation of children's physical activities and sports is inadequate.

STRATEGY TACTICS TARGET TARGET DATA TOOLS TO BE USED TIME

RESPONDENTS FRAME

1. Guide questioner
QUALITATIVE Interview Members of the  Opinions and 2-3 days
suggestions of 2. Picture of
parents for an ideal examples of
parenting adults
environment for proposed design
children. approaches
 Adults that are
involve in raising 3. Recorder
children.
4. Notebook
 Parents, teachers
and other 5. Pen
guardians.

 Information
Department of Health about their current
and future programs
(DOH) related to physical
inactivity of children.
 HR personnel
Analysis of their data
 Health doctor regarding the issue
about physical

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 20 | P a g e
 inactivity.

 Gathering of 5. Camera
Observation United Nations information of 2 days
opinions for the right 6. Recorder
Children's Fund approach for a healthy
and sustainable 7. Notebook
environment for
(UNICEF) physically inactive 8. Pen
children.
 Information 9. Drawing
personnel  Considering their materials
current and future
programs and
activities related to
physical wellness.
World Health

Organization Philippines

(WHO)

 HR personnel
 Health official

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 21 | P a g e
  Information about 1. Camera
Evaluation & Department of their program 2-3 days
regarding Physical 2. Pictures of
Assessment Education (DepEd) Education. examples of
proposed design
approaches
 Information
personnel, School  Evaluation of their PE
facilities. 3. Recorder
principal or
teachers. 4. Notebook

5. Pen
 Assessment of their
Department of Health facilities for Physical 6. Drawing
Wellness. materials
(DOH)

 HR Personnel

 Environmental 1. Camera
CASE STUDY EBS Milo Philippines Behavioral Study of 1-2 days
the sport event of Milo 2. Notebook
(Environmental  Event organizer Philippines.
3. Pen
 Information
personnel  Analysis of the pattern
Behavioral 4. Drawing
 Participants of behavior of the
children participating. materials
Study)

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 22 | P a g e
Key Question 3:

The human impact influence the perception of parenting community due to the alarming and trending causes and issues of the

outside environment is unsafe for the children to engage.

STRATEGY TACTICS TARGET TARGET DATA TOOLS TO BE USED TIME

RESPONDENTS FRAME

 Views of children 1. Survey

QUALITATIVE Survey Elementary School regarding the outside questioner 2 days
environment
 Conducting a
survey to 100 male 2. Pen
and female  Information about their
students from engagement to the
Grade 1 to Grade outside environment 3. Souvenir
6.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 23 | P a g e
  Views and concerns of
Interview Parenting adults the parenting adults 1. Guide questioner 3 days
towards the modern
 Parents, teachers environment and its 2. Authorized letter
and other parenting effects on their
guardians of 3-13 children. 3. Recorder
years old children.
 Analysis of issues that 4. Notebook
concern the parenting
adults. 5. Pen

 Analysis of effects of
current modern
society in parenting.

 Views and concerns of

United Nations the agency towards
the effect of modern
Children's Fund and urban
environment to the
children
(UNICEF)
 Gathering data about
 Information cases related to
personnel children to the
 Health official modernized and
urbanized areas.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 24 | P a g e
 Observation Department of Health  Assessment of their 1. Camera 1 day
past, current and
(DOH) future programs 2. Authorized letter
related to physical
 HR Personnel inactivity. 3. Recorder
 Health official
 The current condition 4. Notebook
of physical wellness of
modern children. 5. Pen

6. Drawing materials

Philippines Sports  Data regarding the

awareness and
Commission (PSC knowledge towards
the modernization of
 Information society and its affect
personnel on physical wellness
 HR personnel and engagement of
children into sports.
 Event organizer

 Programs engaging
children into sports.

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  Analysis of information
CASE STUDY Exploratory MILO Philippines of past, present and 1. Camera 2 days
future events
 Event organizer regarding the 2. Authorized letter
 Information engagement of
personnel children to physical 3. Recorder
activities and sports.
4. Notebook

5. Pen
 The current condition
World Health of modern society and 6. Drawing materials
its effect on
Organization Philippines engagement of
children to physical
activities and sports.
(WHO)

 Information
personnel
 Health official

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