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. 2011 Jan;17(1):207-14.
doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.10.001. Epub 2010 Oct 15.

Childhood obesity and proximity to urban parks and recreational resources: a longitudinal cohort study

Jennifer Wolch  1 , Michael Jerrett, Kim Reynolds, Rob McConnell, Roger Chang, Nicholas Dahmann, Kirby Brady, Frank Gilliland, Jason G Su, Kiros Berhane
Affiliations

Childhood obesity and proximity to urban parks and recreational resources: a longitudinal cohort study

Jennifer Wolch et al. Health Place. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

The objective of the research was to assess how proximity to parks and recreational resources affects the development of childhood obesity through a longitudinal study. Data were collected on 3173 children aged 9-10 from 12 communities in Southern California in 1993 and 1996. Children were followed for eight years to collect longitudinal information, including objectively measured body mass index (BMI). Multilevel growth curve models were used to assess associations between attained BMI growth at age 18 and numerous environmental variables, including park space and recreational program access. For park acres within a 500 m distance of children's homes, there were significant inverse associations with attained BMI at age 18. Effect sizes were larger for boys than for girls. Recreation programs within a 10 km buffer of children's homes were significantly and inversely associated with achieved levels in BMI at age 18, with effect sizes for boys also larger than those for girls. We conclude that children with better access to parks and recreational resources are less likely to experience significant increases in attained BMI.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of park and recreational program resources.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Recreational programs with 5 and 10 km buffers of children’s homes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The study region with spatial distribution of parks.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Access to recreational programs within 10km buffer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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