The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
May 20, 2008
Washington, D.C. officials have launched a comprehensive effort to study and address the disproportionately high obesity rates among the area's inner-city youth, the Washington Post reports. The article, part of an ongoing series on childhood obesity, highlights evidence that children's access to outdoor recreation options and healthy foods significantly affects their weight. Specifically examining childhood obesity within Washington, D.C.'s eighth ward, a predominantly low-income African-American community where more than half of children are overweight or obese, the Post cites research indicating that 81 percent of food vendors in the ward are convenience stores or fast-food outlets. Moreover, studies show that, while 60 percent of Ward 8 residents live within two blocks of a public park, 56 percent of parents report that they will not allow their children to play outdoors because of safety concerns. D.C. leaders are now stepping up their efforts to alleviate urban barriers to healthy lifestyles. According to the Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, approximately 700 local programs now target healthy lifestyle issues. For example, the city council has funded an "International Fitness Diplomats" program that introduces high school students to professional athletes, while the district's mayor recently announced a $100,000 grant for fitness programs.