While there are various factors to consider when gauging
the health of a child, perhaps one of the most overlooked is the
physical community wherein that child lives. A community determines what
kind of food that child eats, the school she attends and even the level
of physical activity that she can enjoy.
For very young children, the options – or lack thereof –
that a community offers for physical activity and healthful food are
vitally important, since healthy habits are established very early on in
life. Research shows that children often exhibit the physical activity
levels of the people around them, so a child will usually be about as
active as her parents or caregivers. In communities designed for more
walkability, and that have more play areas like parks and green spaces,
children’s activity levels have increased significantly despite their
families’ habits. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine,
children who live in these “smart growth” neighborhoods get 46 percent
more moderate or vigorous physical activity than children who live in
traditional neighborhoods. And it appears that the younger the children
are in these communities, the more physical activity they enjoy.
A researcher in North Carolina has also found that parks
with the most activity offered diverse choices for play, with areas
designed for preschool children as well as for adults. These options
attracted repeat visitors to the park during the week, and not just on
weekends.
While not every family can enjoy the benefits of a “smart
growth” neighborhood, parents and caregivers can encourage community
leaders to consider the physical environment for children when planning
redevelopment projects. Some successful options have included
redesigning empty lots as green spaces for neighborhood occupants, and
rebuilding abandoned strip malls into playgrounds. Additionally,
communities can be instrumental in attracting healthy food options and
limiting fast food advertising in their neighborhoods.
At a family level, parents and caregivers can help
establish active lifestyles for their young children by taking their
babies and toddlers out of swings, playpens and other restrictive
devices and encouraging them to explore their surroundings. For older
children, parents and caregivers can encourage outdoor play time, take
family walks and limit television and screen time. We now know that the
more time children spend playing in and enjoying the communities around
them, the healthier they will grow.
Learn more:
In The News:
