Parental satisfaction with neighborhood parks decreases sedentary activity among children

By Staff Writer

Easy access to a park or playground can improve the health and physical activity of children, according to research from the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research at Australia's Deakin University.

The study, which was published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine, found that the more satisfied parents were with their neighborhood's outdoor recreation areas, the more likely kids were to play outside and stay off the couch.

Researchers surveyed the parents of 171 children, and asked them what their perceptions were regarding the physical and social environment of their neighborhoods. Those who expressed the highest satisfaction were more likely to have children who did not have sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV or playing video games.

"Our findings suggest that some features of the neighborhood physical environment are associated with young children spending less time [on sedentary activities]," the researchers explained.

Children and adolescents who lead sedentary, antisocial lifestyles and who exhibit problematic behaviors - such as video game addiction - could benefit from the guidance of a therapeutic boarding school.