HHS HealthBeat (February 22, 2006)

Kids off the streets.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

About 15 percent of America's kids weigh too much. But a study indicates the weight falls more heavily in some neighborhoods than others.

Julie Lumeng of the University of Michigan compared kids' weights to parents' assessments of neighborhood safety. She found 4 percent of kids in the safest neighborhoods were overweight, but 17 percent of kids in the least-safe neighborhoods were.

Lumeng's study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine was supported by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration.

"It's probably true that when parents perceive the neighborhood as not very safe, they are going to be less likely to allow their children to play outside. It could also be what the children are doing instead of physical activity – watching television and snacking more." (14 seconds)

Lumeng says parents who worry about their kids' safety outside could go out with them.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 15 2006