Addressing these disparities by providing sufficient access to parks and recreation facilities may help Latino children become more physically active, maintain a healthy weight, and have better overall health through childhood and into adulthood. Low-income neighborhoods generally have few parks and recreation sites, so school facilities are left responsible for providing safe areas for children to play outside of regular school hours.
According to the CDC, poverty is a better predictor of childhood obesity than race. In a statistical model, based on information from more than 110,000 Massachusetts students, they found that when a child’s family income dropped, the rates of childhood obesity went up. Fewer parks, recreational programs and full service grocery stores among the poor may lead them to eating more fast food and get little to no exercise. Researchers from the study found that there is a 70% chance that an overweight teen would remain obese as an adult, increasing their risk for heart disease and diabetes.
This is why it’s so important for parents to take steps toward keeping their children healthy. A healthy lifestyle begins at home and diet is just as important as exercise. If children see their parents eating fruits and vegetables, then they will follow in their footsteps. The same goes for exercising. The next time you go for a walk or a jog, invite your children. Make it a habit to be an active family and limit the hours your children are hooked on technology.
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