MOVE MORE, GAIN LESS: EFFECT OF A RECREATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM ON CHILDHOOD BMI.

Bongkyun Kim,Di Fang,Anthony Goudie,Rodolfo M Nayga,Michael R Thomsen

doi:10.1111/coep.12448

Abstract

We investigate the effect of residential proximity to recreational trails on childhood body mass index (BMI). We find that children living within 0.5 miles of recreational trails have BMI z‐scores that are 0.0412 to 0.0507 standard deviations lower than those who do not live within 0.5 miles of trails. We also find that living nearby trails reduces the probability of becoming obese by 1.6 percentage points. The impact for BMI z‐score is larger for children qualifying for free or reduced‐price meals and for Hispanic children. These findings suggest that improving neighborhood amenities conducive to physical activity may help reduce disparities in childhood obesity. (JEL I10, R10)

Highlights

Childhood obesity is an important public health issue in the United States that impacts long-term health and economic outcomes
There is growing evidence that obesity at a young age may lead to lower educational attainment (Black, Johnston, and Peeters 2015; Ding et al 2009; Sabia 2007), lower earnings (Cawley 2004), and fewer employment opportunities (Lindeboom, Lundborg, and van der Klaauw 2010; Morris 2007; Rooth 2009)
We investigate the effect of residential access to recreational trails, a specific component of the built environment, on childhood body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates

Summary

Introduction

Childhood obesity is an important public health issue in the United States that impacts long-term health and economic outcomes. There is growing evidence that obesity at a young age may lead to lower educational attainment (Black, Johnston, and Peeters 2015; Ding et al 2009; Sabia 2007), lower earnings (Cawley 2004), and fewer employment opportunities (Lindeboom, Lundborg, and van der Klaauw 2010; Morris 2007; Rooth 2009). Improvements in the built environment have small negative spillovers and high political feasibility (Sandy et al 2013). School-level interventions often involve mandatory rules that could restrict choices of healthy-weight children without significant benefit. Improvements in the built environment could benefit both overweight and normal weight children without restricting choice. Because improvements to the built environment are available to both the affluent and less affluent (at least at the point of consumption), investments in the built environment may be a less controversial way to reduce health inequalities

Results

Discussion

Conclusion