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.

Watch the video

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.

Learn more

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.

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.

PBS Produces "America's Walking" Series to Encourage Daily Exercise and Walkable Communities

January 1, 2006 | Program Result Report

Connecticut Public Broadcasting developed, produced, distributed and promoted 21 half-hour episodes of America's Walking, a television series aimed at inspiring viewers to increase their daily activity and to create more walkable communities.

Project Encourages Bike-Friendly Communities Through Awards Program and Website

March 25, 2006 | Program Result Report

The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is an awards program of the League of American Bicyclists (incorporated as the League of American Wheelmen) that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling.

Committee Examines how the Built Environment Influences Physical Activity Levels

April 1, 2006 | Program Result Report

The Transportation Research Board and the Institute of Medicine formed a 14-member committee to examine the connection between the built environment and the physical activity levels of the U.S. population.

2002 Summit with Leaders of Distressed Neighborhoods Explores Relationship Between Built Environment, Physical Activity and Health

April 1, 2004 | Program Result Report

PolicyLink held a summit, Promoting Regional Equity: A National Summit on Equitable Development, Social Justice and Smart Growth, from November 17-19, 2002 in Los Angeles.

Coalition Revives Effort to Get People Walking into a Healthier Future

November 1, 2004 | Program Result Report

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center conducted a national effort to promote the benefits of walking and walkable communities, and to revitalize the Partnership for a Walkable America.

Communities Can Encourage More Bike Riding and Walking to Improve Physical Fitness

April 1, 2003 | Program Result Report

The National Center for Bicycling & Walking developed and published a guidebook entitled Increasing Physical Activity Through Community Design: A Guide for Public Health Practitioners.

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.

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.

Evaluation of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities: Supporting Community Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity

February 21, 2010 | Evaluation

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities works to implement healthy eating and active living policy- and environmental-change initiatives that can support healthier communities for children and families across the United States.