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Proximity to Green Space Linked to Children's Physical Activity, Study Finds
A study presented at a recent American Heart Association conference found that children who live near parks and other green spaces are more physically active, HealthDay News reports. To determine the association between proximity to park areas and physical activity, researchers from Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center in Montreal, Canada and Université de Montréal analyzed the walking habits of over 600 children ages 8 to 10 considered at high risk for obesity. As part of the study, the researchers evaluated the children based on fat distribution, fitness level, metabolic rate, genetic and familial history, and behavioral factors that could affect obesity. According to the findings, for every park located within one-half-mile of home, a girl's likelihood of walking to school doubled, while a boy's odds of participating in leisurely walks increased by 60 percent. The findings remained consistent after adjusting for family income and average level of education within the neighborhood. Although the researchers acknowledge that proximity to parks benefits boys and girls in different ways, they noted that the presence of parks increased overall walking among both sexes. The researchers plan to continue monitoring the children across the next decade to further assess the impact of the environment on physical activity and weight gain (HealthDay News, 3/12/09; American Heart Association release, 3/12/09).