Can City Park programs improve obesity?

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The genesis of the childhood epidemic of obesity is clearly due to an overall decline of physical activity with a concomitant increase of dietary intake of calories. How to solve the problem of childhood obesity is much more complex. Some have wondered whether city parks could be part of an obesity prevention and treatment program. In this issue of The Journal, Bush et al studied a physical fitness and nutrition education program that was delivered in the City Park system of Houston, Texas. They found that children who were overweight and participated in the program had small decreases in their body weight and body mass index. The children also improved strength, flexibility, and endurance. These results suggest that for some children the involvement with programs in City Parks can be beneficial.