by Playfuls Staff |
24th February 2007
Researchers in Indianapolis have linked children's weight to the proximity of their homes to green space and [more] grocery stores.
"We seem to be losing the battle to prevent childhood obesity by dealing with diet and exercise in individual children," said Dr. Gilbert Liu, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
"Our study notes the interaction between environment and weight and suggests that environmental approaches to childhood obesity may prove more successful than working individually with the growing number of overweight children."
The study of more than 7,000 children found that for children living in densely populated areas, their risk of being overweight dropped if they lived close to a green space.
In suburban areas, the chances a child would be overweight dropped if a supermarket was nearby.
Liu theorized that the green space and proximity to shopping had a good influence on diet and exercise.
"As a pediatrician, I hope this study will encourage neighborhood organizations, community activists, and others to bring more opportunities for physical activities and healthy food choices to the places where children live," said Liu.
© 2007 UPI
