Physical Activity in Communities

RWJF Priority: Increase physical activity by improving the built environment in communities

When children have safe places to walk, bike and play in their communities, they’re more likely to be active and less likely to be obese. Communities can increase opportunities for physical activity by building new sidewalks, bike paths, parks, and playgrounds—and by improving those that already exist.

To encourage families to use these resources and facilities, communities can implement traffic-safety measures and neighborhood watch programs, so children are safe when playing outside. Such measures are especially important in underserved communities, where residents often face high crime rates, dangerous traffic patterns, and unsafe sidewalks.

The resources below, from RWJF grantees and partners, highlight recent efforts to identify the most promising solutions for promoting physical activity in communities.

Childhood Obesity Policy Priorities

From the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids

Renovating Northgate Park in Camden, NJ

"We want to see kids and families active." The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids helped to rennovate Camden's Northgate Park, where residents can now use the new playground and participate in activities like tennis, volleyball, and cycling.

Watch the video

From Active Living Research

Do All Children Have Places to be Active?

Children who live in communities of color and lower-income communities are more likely to live in neighborhoods that do not support physical activity.

Read the brief

From Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

A Healthier Park

Chicago's healthy improvements to Humbolt Park include installing community gardens and healthy vending machines, and improving pedestrian access to parks.

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From Salud America!

Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity Among Latino Youth

Transportation issues, safety concerns, and lack recreational opportunities are some of the factors that prevent Latino youths from being active and encourage sedentary behaviors.

Read the brief

From Active Living Research

Promoting Physical Activity Through the Shared Use of School and Community Recreational Resources

Shared use of school and community recreational facilities are a cost-effective way to promote physical activity in a community.

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3 p.m. to Bedtime: Crunch Time for Children and Obesity

Crunch Time: Challenges and Solutions

A poll reveals that many parents face a variety of barriers to helping their children lead healthy lives, especially during the "crunch time" from 3 p.m. to bedtime.

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The Path to Active Living

December 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This article examines the work of the Somerville Active Living by Design Partnership. The authors report on the partnership between Active Living by Design and community organizations and assess the key successes and challenges of the project.

How Does Federal Funding Impact Infrastucture for Biking and Walking?

October 22, 2010 | Program Result

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences analyzed spending of federal funds for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure across metropolitan regions nationwide and conducted case studies.

Chapel Hill Mother Helps Create Active Routes to School

February 22, 2010 | Story

"I saw a lot of excitement in the kids who were part of Walking Wednesdays," said Diana Straughan. "Often, their parents were with them and it created a fellowship."

Active Living by Design

February 4, 2013 | Program Result

From 2001 to 2009, 25 community partnerships across the country pursued projects designed to revamp the built environment and change public policies to make physical activity part of everyday life.

State Legislation to Address Childhood Obesity

December 14, 2012 | Program Result

Researchers analyzed state legislation on childhood obesity for factors that predict enactment and to understand the relationship between enacted policies and obesity rates. They developed tools to help others analyze legislation.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

February 17, 2012 | Program Result

In Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, partnerships in 49 communities nationwide are changing local policies and revamping the physical environment to foster healthy living and prevent childhood obesity.

Patterns and Predictors of Enactment of State Childhood Obesity Legislation in the United State

October 18, 2012 | Journal Article

This research and practice report identifies characteristics of state-level childhood obesity legislation that influences bill passage rates. Bills introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators were most likely to pass.

Changing Policies and the Physical Environment So Children and Families Can Eat Well and Move More

February 14, 2012 | Story

A profile of Sarah Strunk, MHA, director of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities.

University of Buffalo Professor Encourages Planners to Create Communities That Facilitate Healthy Food Systems and Healthy Eating

February 22, 2010 | Story

Samina Raja's active living research includes a National Institutes of Health grant to study how well an effort to increase physical activity in youth works among children living in areas with high access and in areas with low access to parks.

Health Organizer Spearheads Efforts to Promote Physical Activity in Chicago Neighborhood

February 22, 2010 | Story

With leadership from Lucy Gomez-Feliciano, Active Living Logan Square worked with McAuliffe Elementary School and Ames Middle School to expand opportunities for physical activity.