Neighborhood safety and activity

When parents believe their neighborhood is unsafe, their children are less active. Specifically, these children engage in nearly one less day per week of physical activity than their counterparts in neighborhoods that are perceived as safe.

"Physical activity is vital for the health, growth, and social development of children," explains Karla Galaviz, a researcher with the Emory Global Diabetes Research Center. "Physical activity interventions should consider parental safety concerns and economic disparities."

Related Story

"Parents' perceptions of neighborhood safety have impact on kids' physical activity" (11/17/2016)