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.

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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.

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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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Childhood Obesity Program Area

RWJF is committed to tackling one of the most urgent threats to the health of our children and families—childhood obesity. Our goal is to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.

The Relationship Between Perceptions of Neighborhood Characteristics and Obesity Among Children

April 1, 2011 | Book

This policy paper is from a series published by the National Bureau of Economic Research on obesity in the United States. The authors examined whether maternal perceptions of neighborhood environment affect children’s body weight.

More Paths and Safer Routes Needed to Make America More Bike-Friendly

October 1, 2002 | Program Result Report

Earth Force in Alexandria, Va. held two Youth Bike Summits in 1999 and 2000 in Washington, D.C., as part of its Get Out Spoke'N! campaign to make America more bike-friendly.

State Legislation to Address Childhood Obesity

December 14, 2012 | Program Result Report

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 Report

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.

Physical Activity

April 1, 2011 | Book

This policy paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research examines factors contributing to obesity, such as physical inactivity. Data are taken from surveys conducted as part of the 2000-2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey.

Studying the Child Obesity Epidemic with Natural Experiments

April 1, 2011 | Book

This paper is part of a series on obesity published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The authors used data from pediatric visits to estimate effects of certain changes to the environment on children’s body mass. Environmental factors examined in this study are fast-food restaurants, supermarkets, parks, trails, violent crimes and 13 types of recreational amenities.

Yavapai-Apache Youth Council - "Dreams Do Come True"

March 15, 2011 | Program Result Report

The Yavapai-Apache Youth Council built a walking trail near tribal headquarters in Camp Verde, Ariz.

Research Agenda on Measuring Food and Physical Activity Environments is Set at Workshop

December 7, 2009 | Program Result Report

Healthy Eating Research at the University of Minnesota assisted the National Cancer Institute in organizing a workshop - "Measurement of the Food and Built Environments: Enhancing Research Relevant to Policy on Diet, Physical Activity and Weight."

Physical Activity and Food Environments

March 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This article provides an update on the body of research on physical activity and food environments. The authors present results from recent studies and reviews and discuss current promising innovations and policies.

Latina Voices in Childhood Obesity

March 1, 2013 | Journal Article

Latina mothers identify barriers to children being physically active and find their voice to advocate for changes.