The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a policy statement strongly supporting the need to encourage outdoor play and mobility among children. “The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in Children” documents the trends in community development that have contributed to the sharp decline in physical activity among children and adolescents, thus contributing to the corresponding jump in the rate of obesity among young people.
“An estimated 32 percent of American children are overweight,” the AAP notes in its abstract. “Policies that promote more active lifestyles among children and adolescents will enable them to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.”
Nancy Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects, adds, “Landscape architects join the AAP in urging our governments at every level to institute laws, policies, and practices that promote active living through environmental design. In particular, Complete Streets legislation, currently being adopted across the country and making its way through Congress, is critical to providing opportunities that incorporate walking and biking into daily activities. Recognition of the relationship between community design and public health by such an esteemed medical organization confirms the need for comprehensive public policy to create a more healthy and sustainable world.”
Specifically, AAP recommends that governments:
“Pass and promote laws and regulations to create new or expand existing efforts to promote active living. Federal programs can incentivize states to incorporate these principles into planning and zoning standards. State and local governments should examine planning and zoning efforts to ensure that children’s ability to walk, play, and get to school safely are a top priority.
“Create and maintain playgrounds, parks, and green spaces within communities as well as the means to access them safely. Prioritize resources to low-income neighborhoods to ensure that all children and adolescents have access to safe and desirable opportunities for play and active lifestyles. Funding should also be prioritized to support specific evidence-based goals, such as building sidewalks in new and existing neighborhoods to create safe corridors to schools and neighborhood parks.
“Promote legislation and fund programs that allow communities to create programs and environmental improvements to neighborhoods that can support children’s active commuting to school. Consider children’s ability for active transportation to school in the process of determining the location of a school.
“Fund research on the impact of the built environment at neighborhood and community levels on the promotion of overall health and active lifestyles for children and families.
“Serve as a model for communities. Whenever possible, new government buildings should be sited within walking distance of public transportation, walking trails, and residential areas to promote active living.”
